title: Accelerated atherosclerosis in saphenous vein bypass grafts: a spectrum of diffuse plaque instability.
abstract: Our understanding of plaque instability may be extended to vein graft atherosclerosis, which appears to represent the end of a continuum of plaque instability. Compared with plaque in native coronary arteries, vein graft atheroma is more diffuse and vulnerable to rupture, and the consequences of plaque rupture in vein grafts seem to be associated with almost certain thrombotic occlusion within 7 to 12 years after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Safian
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D013997:Time Factors; D019737:Transplants / Q000009:adverse effects*