A case of giant saphenous vein graft aneurysm followed serially after coronary artery bypass surgery

Abstract

Saphenous vein graft aneurysm (SVGA) is one of the chronic complications after coronary aorta bypass grafting (CABG) and may be caused by atherosclero- sis-like phenomena of the vein graft, weakness around the vein valve, rupturing of the suture of the graft anas- tomosis, or perioperative graft injury. We describe a case of a large, growing saphenous vein graft aneurysm that was followed serially by chest radiography and computed tomography. Eighteen years after CABG, an SVGA (23 × 24 mm) was incidentally detected. The patient was asymp- tomatic and was followed conservatively. Four years later, coronary computed tomographic angiography showed that the giant aneurysm had grown to 52.1 by 63.8 mm and revealed a second, smaller aneurysm. Finally, the SVG was ultimately resected without bypass via off-pump surgery. Therefore, this case suggested that aggressive treatment that includes surgical intervention should be considered before the aneurysm becomes larger, even if it is asymptomatic.