title: Restenosis in Saphenous Vein Grafts.
abstract: The growing population of patients with aged saphenous vein grafts has become a clinical challenge of increasing magnitude. Efforts to treat these patients with transcatheter interventions have been limited by distal embolization and restenosis. The use of intravascular stents has been a major breakthrough in improving the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of such patients. Future techniques, which promise to reduce in-stent restenosis and improve long-term outcomes, include the use of drug-coated stents and brachytherapy. This article reviews the percutaneous approach to the patient with vein graft disease, focusing on issues pertaining to the pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of restenosis.
authors.affiliation: Thomas Jefferson University, Suite 410 - Medical College Building, 1025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. dorothy.e.lennox@mail.tju.edu
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pratsos
authors.forename: David L.
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Fischman
authors.forename: Michael P.
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Savage