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Synergizing Antegrade Endoscopic with Bridging Vein Harvesting for Improvement of Great Saphenous Vein Graft Quality from the Lower Leg
Published on: November 19, 2019
Percutaneous treatment of a massive saphenous vein graft aneurysm
Charles Knoery1,2, Michael Ashcroft1, Jamie Al Smith1
1Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, United Kingdom.
Insights
Saphenous vein graft (SVG) aneurysms are rare but serious complications after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. A recent case demonstrates successful treatment of a large SVG aneurysm using percutaneous coronary intervention with covered stents.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Saphenous vein graft (SVG) aneurysms are uncommon, potentially life-threatening late complications following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
- These aneurysms can present asymptomatically or with severe symptoms like angina and breathlessness, and carry risks of rupture or myocardial infarction.
Observation:
- A patient with a complex cardiac surgical history presented with worsening angina and breathlessness.
- Radiological imaging revealed a large SVG aneurysm.
Findings:
- The patient underwent successful treatment of the SVG aneurysm.
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) utilizing covered stents was the chosen therapeutic approach.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential efficacy of endovascular treatment for SVG aneurysms.
- Further research is needed to establish definitive treatment guidelines due to the lack of strong evidence for SVG aneurysm management.
Abstract:
Saphenous vein graft (SVG) aneurysms are a rare, frequently late presenting, potentially fatal complication of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. They are often discovered incidentally during radiological tasks such as chest x-ray or CT but can present clinically with symptoms such as worsening angina and breathlessness as well as complications such as rupture or myocardial infarction. Given the risks if left untreated, consideration should be given to treatment either through percutaneous routes or open surgery. However, because of a lack of strong evidence, there are no definitive guidelines on the treatment of SVG aneurysms. We describe a patient with an extensive cardiac surgical history who presented with angina and breathlessness and was found to have a large SVG aneurysm, subsequently successfully treated with percutaneous coronary intervention with covered stents.
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