Prebypass histological and ultrastructural evaluation of the long saphenous vein as a predictor of early graft failure

Twenty percent of the long saphenous vein (LSV) grafts that are employed as coronary bypass conduits occlude during the first year after the operation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological parameters of the LSV grafts before implantation as predictors for the early occlusion of th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cardiovascular pathology 2006-11, Vol.15 (6), p.336-346
Main Authors: Kouzi-Koliakos, Kokkona, Kanellaki-Kyparissi, M., Marinov, G., Knyazhev, V., Tsalie, E., Batzios, Chr, Kovachev, D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coronary Artery Bypass
Endothelium, Vascular - ultrastructure
Evaluation
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Graft Occlusion, Vascular
Grafts
Humans
Male
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Morphology
Predictive Value of Tests
Prognosis
Saphenous vein
Saphenous Vein - pathology
Saphenous Vein - transplantation
Saphenous Vein - ultrastructure
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Summary:Twenty percent of the long saphenous vein (LSV) grafts that are employed as coronary bypass conduits occlude during the first year after the operation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological parameters of the LSV grafts before implantation as predictors for the early occlusion of the grafts. Forty-two samples of LSV grafts were examined via light, transmission electron, and scanning electron microscopy and evaluated clinically and by angiography at 6 months and 2 years after the operation. Morphological parameters were statistically analyzed and examined for their significance on the viability of the vein grafts. Six (14.28%) of the examined grafts occluded within the first 6 months after the operation, and 11 grafts (26.19%) occluded within the first 2 years. The grafts that occluded at 6 months were characterized by thick intima (mean value, 206±32.29 vs. 67.44±10.17 in the group functioning normally and 98.42±34 in the group occluded within 2 years), low endothelial coverage (22.7±4.04 vs. 64.61±2.89 and 26.06±1.78 in the corresponding groups), and narrow lumen (46.73±9.69 vs. 527.18±45.78 and 204.26±16.5 in the corresponding groups). The presence of foam cells, edema, calcification, neovascularization, and thrombus in the lumen of the veins is frequently observed in the wall of the occluded vein grafts, whereas fibrosis does not seem to be related. LSV grafts with low endothelial cell coverage, stenosis of the lumen, and thick walls are at an increased risk of developing intrawall lesions that lead to early graft failure.
ISSN:1054-8807
1879-1336
DOI:10.1016/j.carpath.2006.07.005