title: Saphenous vein graft failure after coronary artery bypass surgery: pathophysiology, management, and future directions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review our current understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of vein graft failure (VGF), give an overview of current preventive and interventional measures, and explore strategies that may improve vein graft patency.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  VGF and progression of native coronary artery disease limit the long-term efficacy of coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the published literature on the pathophysiology, prevention, and/or treatment of VGF by searching the MEDLINE (January 1, 1966-January 1, 2012), EMBASE (January 1, 1980-January 1, 2012), and Cochrane (January 1, 1995-January 1, 2012) databases. In addition, we reviewed references from the selected articles for studies not identified in the initial search. Basic science and clinical studies were included; non-English language publications were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acute thrombosis, neointimal hyperplasia, and accelerated atherosclerosis are the 3 mechanisms that lead to VGF. Preventive measures include matching and quality assessment of conduit and target vessel, lipid-lowering drugs, antithrombotic therapy, and cessation of smoking. Treatment of VGF includes medical therapy, percutaneous intervention, and redo coronary artery bypass graft surgery. In patients undergoing graft intervention, the use of drug-eluting stents, antiplatelet agents, and embolic protection devices may improve clinical outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite advances in management, VGF remains one of the leading causes of poor in-hospital and long-term outcomes after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. New developments in VGF prevention such as gene therapy, external graft support, fully tissue-engineered grafts, hybrid grafts, and synthetic conduits are promising but unproven. Future efforts to reduce VGF require a multidisciplinary approach with a primary focus on prevention.
authors.affiliation: Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
authors.forename: Ralf E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Harskamp
authors.forename: Renato D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Clinton E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Baisden
authors.forename: Robbert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: de Winter
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D015607:Stents; D017211:Treatment Failure