Background - To evaluate the short and mid-term results of saphenous vein graft angioplasty, we studied 34 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous revascularization of 39 lesions by either balloon angioplasty or stenting over a 3-year period. Patient and methods - The mean age of the patients was 56 ± 7 years and the mean age of the treated grafts was 6.3 ± 6.4 years (6 mo to 20 years). Results - Procedural success (residual stenosis < 30%) was achieved in 94% of the patients. Minimal luminal diameter was increased from 1.05 ± 51 to 3.45 ± 0.75mm after the procedure (p valve < 0.001). Events occurred in 5% of the patients (slow flow, non-Q MI). Target lesion revascularization (TLR) at follow-ups was performed in five patients. Conclusion - In conclusion, saphenous vein grafts angioplasty had a high initial success rate as well as a low repeat TLR in selected patients.
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