Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Synergizing Antegrade Endoscopic with Bridging Vein Harvesting for Improvement of Great Saphenous Vein Graft Quality from the Lower Leg
Published on: November 19, 2019
Clinical correlates of long-term mortality after percutaneous interventions of saphenous vein grafts
Rajendra H Mehta1, Emily Honeycutt, Linda K Shaw
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Duke University Medical Center and the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC 27715, USA. mehta007@dcri.duke.edu
Insights
Long-term survival after saphenous vein graft (SVG) intervention is poor, with 24% mortality at 4 years. A new tool helps predict prognosis for patients undergoing SVG interventions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Percutaneous intervention of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) is increasingly common.
- Clinical factors influencing long-term mortality after SVG interventions require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify clinical factors associated with long-term mortality in patients undergoing SVG interventions.
- To develop a simple bedside tool for risk stratification in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1019 patients undergoing SVG interventions from 1986-2003.
- Utilized Cox proportional hazards model to identify mortality predictors.
- Constructed a nomogram for predicting 4-year survival probability.
Main Results:
- At a median 4-year follow-up, 24% of patients died.
- Key predictors of mortality included heart rate, diabetes, heart failure, age, peripheral vascular disease, renal insufficiency, carotid bruit, S3 gallop, and hypertension.
- A patent internal mammary graft and higher BMI were associated with reduced mortality.
Conclusions:
- Long-term survival post-SVG intervention is suboptimal.
- The developed nomogram aids clinicians in advising patients on long-term prognosis.
- This tool supports improved discharge planning, follow-up, and expectation management.
Background:
Increasing number of patients undergo percutaneous intervention of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs). However, the clinical factors associated with long-term mortality after SVG interventions are currently less known. Accordingly, the goal of present study was to evaluate clinical correlates of long-term mortality and to develop a simple bedside tool for risk stratification in patients undergoing SVG interventions.
Methods:
We analyzed 1019 patients undergoing SVG interventions from the Duke Cardiovascular Disease Database (1986-2003). Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify baseline variables associated with long-term mortality, and the model variables were then used to construct a nomogram for survival probability at 4 years.
Results:
At a median follow-up of 4 years, 24% of those undergoing SVG interventions died (interquartile range 2-7 years). Independent correlates of death at follow-up on multivariable analysis included presenting heart rate (hazard ratio [HR] 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), diabetes (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.37-2.18), presenting heart failure (HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.27-2.06), age (per 10-year increase, HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.13-1.46), peripheral vascular disease (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.23-2.04), renal insufficiency (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.36-2.97), patent internal mammary graft (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.53-0.86), body mass index < or = 25 kg/m2 (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85-0.97), carotid bruit (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.12-1.85), S3 ventricular gallop (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.11-3.03), and hypertension (HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.04-1.83) (c-index 0.83). Bootstrap validation confirmed excellent internal validity of the model (mean c-index 0.84, 95% CI 0.80-0.85).
Conclusion:
Long-term survival after SVG intervention is poor, with one fourth of patients dying at median follow-up of 4 years. The nomogram developed using the model variables provides a method for clinicians to advise patients undergoing SVG interventions regarding their long-term prognosis, thereby enhancing discharge and long-term follow-up planning and setting up of realistic expectations.
More Related Videos
07:02A Rabbit Venous Interposition Model Mimicking Revascularization Surgery using Vein Grafts to Assess Intimal Hyperplasia under Arterial Blood Pressure
Published on: May 15, 2020
08:05Occlusion of the Great and Small Saphenous Vein Using Copolymeric Glue Based on N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Methacryloxy Sulfolane
Published on: December 9, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Varicose Veins I: Introduction
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies