Restenosis in Saphenous Vein Grafts.
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.
Pratsos
Antonis
A
Thomas Jefferson University, Suite 410 - Medical College Building, 1025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. dorothy.e.lennox@mail.tju.edu
Fischman
David L.
DL
Savage
Michael P.
MP