Angioplasty of Saphenous Vein Grafts After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Single-Center Retrospective Study with Literature Review

This study presents a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing percutaneous angioplasty of saphenous vein grafts (SVG) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at a tertiary care center between 2005 and 2015. SVG disease remains a major cause of late morbidity after CABG, with complex pathophysiology and high procedural risk, particularly due to distal embolization and no-reflow phenomena. The study evaluates demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, angiographic features, and procedural outcomes in 238 patients, comparing two time periods (2005–2009 and 2010–2015). Key findings demonstrate increased use of embolic protection devices and covered stents in later years, associated with improved procedural safety and reduced contrast volume. Despite advances in technique and device technology, intervention on SVGs remains challenging and requires careful patient and lesion selection. The findings highlight the evolving role of percutaneous intervention in the management of degenerated venous grafts and emphasize the importance of adjunctive technologies to reduce complications. This work contributes to the existing literature by providing real-world clinical data and supporting a more structured and evidence-informed approach to SVG intervention.