The evolving role of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor blockade during percutaneous coronary intervention of saphenous vein bypass grafts

PCI has improved the treatment of coronary artery disease. However, unlike native coronary arteries, progress in the percutaneous intervention of SVBG has been disappointing, often complicated by distal embolization of atherothrombotic debris and resulting in high periprocedural morbidity. SVBG interventions have an increased incidence of major adverse clinical events compared to native coronary interventions, with approximately 20% of vein graft interventions complicated by myocardial infarction or no-reflow phenomenon. We review the morphological features complicating saphenous vein graft disease, the current literature regarding GP receptor blockade in vein graft interventions and potential future therapies.