Antithrombotic therapy in the coronary vein graft patient

Abstract

Coronary artery bypass grafting is an important therapeutic modality in the treatment of the patient with coronary artery disease; however, long‐term results are limited by the development of saphenous vein graft disease early and late after operation. The pathogenesis of early vein graft occlusion is primarily thrombotic, while that occurring later frequently involves thrombosis superimposed on intimal hyperplasia or vein graft atherosclerosis. We describe the role of various platelet inhibitors and anticoagulants in the prevention of saphenous vein graft occlusion following coronary artery bypass grafting. Copyright © 1991 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.