Percutaneous revascularization of an extensively diseased saphenous vein bypass graft with a saphenous vein-covered palmaz stent

A 68-year-old man developed unstable angina 12 years following coronary artery bypass surgery. Angiography revealed an extensive area of severe stenosis and diminished distal flow in a right coronary artery vein bypass graft. Given the high distal embolism rate associated with conventional catheter-based treatment of old degenerated vein grafts, the diseased area was ''relined'' with a composite autologous saphenous vein-covered stent. The procedure was performed using modifications of standard PTCA methods and resulted in a widely patent, smooth lumen. This Initial case demonstrates that a degenerated saphenous vein graft can be successfully revascularized with an autologous saphenous vein-covered stent in an attempt to minimize the potential complications of standard catheter-based revascularization methods. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.