Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 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
Relationship between vein graft failure and subsequent clinical outcomes after coronary artery bypass surgery
Renato D Lopes1, Rajendra H Mehta, Gail E Hafley
1Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 3850, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
Insights
Vein graft failure is common after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. While it increases the risk of repeat revascularization, it does not significantly impact death or myocardial infarction rates.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Vascular Biology
- Clinical Outcomes Research
Background:
- Vein graft failure (VGF) is a frequent complication following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
- The long-term clinical impact of VGF remains incompletely understood.
- This study investigates the association between VGF and subsequent patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relationship between vein graft failure (VGF) and long-term clinical outcomes after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
- To assess the impact of VGF on rates of death, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1829 patients from the PREVENT IV trial database.
- Coronary angiography assessed VGF 12ā18 months post-CABG surgery.
- Clinical outcomes (death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization) were tracked for 4 years post-angiography.
Main Results:
- Vein graft failure (VGF) was observed in 43% of patients (787/1829).
- Patients with any VGF had a significantly higher incidence of the composite outcome of death, myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization (aHR, 1.58; P=0.008).
- This increased risk was primarily driven by more frequent repeat revascularization, with no significant differences in death or myocardial infarction rates.
Conclusions:
- Vein graft failure (VGF) is prevalent after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
- VGF is associated with an increased need for repeat revascularization but not with increased mortality or myocardial infarction.
- Further research is warranted to develop strategies for mitigating VGF and improving long-term outcomes in CABG patients.
Background:
Vein graft failure (VGF) is common after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, but its relationship with long-term clinical outcomes is unknown. In this retrospective analysis, we examined the relationship between VGF, assessed by coronary angiography 12 to 18 months after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and subsequent clinical outcomes.
Methods And Results:
Using the Project of Ex Vivo Vein Graft Engineering via Transfection IV (PREVENT IV) trial database, we studied data from 1829 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery and had an angiogram performed up to 18 months after surgery. The main outcome measure was death, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization through 4 years after angiography. VGF occurred in 787 of 1829 patients (43%). Clinical follow-up was completed in 97% of patients with angiographic follow-up. The composite of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization occurred more frequently among patients who had any VGF compared with those who had none (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-2.06; P=0.008). This was due mainly to more frequent revascularization with no differences in death (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-1.52; P=0.85) or death or myocardial infarction (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-1.53; P=0.65).
Conclusions:
VGF is common after coronary artery bypass graft surgery and is associated with repeat revascularization but not with death and/or myocardial infarction. Further investigations are needed to evaluate therapies and strategies for decreasing VGF to improve outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Related Concept Videos
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care

