Should angiographically disease-free saphenous vein grafts be replaced at the time of redo coronary artery bypass grafting

Inder D. Mehta, Joy Weinberg, Marc F. Jones, George Tellides, Gary S. Kopf, Richard K. Shaw, Barry L. Zaret, John A. Elefteriades

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Controversy exist regarding the management of angiographically disease-free saphenous vein grafts at the time of redo coronary artery by pass grafting (CABG). Some authorities favor replacement of these disease-free grafts, erguing that conclusion is likely in the near future. Others believe that thesegrafts are 'biologically priviliged' and should not be replaced. Methods> One hundred thirty-two consecutive patients (113 men, 19 women, aged 46 to 88 years, mean 67 years) underwent redo revascularization with one or more angiographically disease-free saphenous vein grafts at the time of redo CABG. Thirty-six patients had the disease- free grafts replaced (r) and 96 did not (NR). The mean intrval from the first CABG was 9.25 years. Results. Surgical mortality was comparable in the NR and R groups (5 of 96 or 5.2% versus 3 or 8.3%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Late myocardial infarction was less common in the NR group than in the R group (12 of 91 or 129% versus 12 of 33 36.4%;p < 0.003). recurrent angina was less common in the NR in the R group (21 of 91 or 23.1% versus 15 of 33 or 45.5%; p < 0.015). Cardiac hospitalization was required less commonly in the NR than in the R group (11 of 91 or 12.1% versus 12 of 33 or 36.4%; p < 0.002). In nondiseased grafts undergoing angiographic evalution late after redo CABG, rate of new stenosis was lower in NR grafts than in R grafts (2 of 12 or 16.7% versus 2 of 3 or 66.7%; p<0.05). Conclusions. With a conservative approach that does not replace nondiseased saphenous vein grafts at redo CABG (1) there is no increase in operative mortality, (2) good late survival is obtained, (3) Clinical ischemia related to the NR saphenous vein grafts is uncommon, and (4) NR grafts continue to be patent. We conclude that disease- free vein grafts may not require routine replacement at redo CABG. A randomized study is required for definitive resolution.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)17-23
Number of pages7
JournalAnnals of Thoracic Surgery
Volume65
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1998
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Should angiographically disease-free saphenous vein grafts be replaced at the time of redo coronary artery bypass grafting'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this