The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Nov 2022
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyExternal stenting and disease progression in saphenous vein grafts two years after coronary artery bypass grafting: A multicenter randomized trial.
Little data exist regarding the potential of external stents to mitigate long-term disease progression in saphenous vein grafts. We investigated the effect of external stents on the progression of saphenous vein graft disease. ⋯ Two years after coronary artery bypass grafting, external stenting improves Fitzgibbon patency scales of saphenous vein grafts and significantly reduces intimal hyperplasia area and thickness. Whether this will eventually lead to improved long-term patency is still unknown.