Affiliations: Bristol Heart Institute, University of Bristol, Bristol BS2 8HW, UK
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Professor G.D. Agelini, Bristol Heart Institute, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Division of Cardiac, Anaesthetic and Radiological Sciences (CARS), Bristol Royal Infirmary, University of Bristol, Bristol BS2 8HW, UK. Tel.: +44 117 928 3146; Fax: +44 117 929 9737; E‐mail: g.d.angelini@ bristol.ac.uk.
Abstract: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is widely used for the treatment of atheromatous stenosis of coronary arteries. However, as many as 50% of grafts fail within 10 years after CABG due to neointima (NI) formation, a process involving the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Superimposed on neointima formation is accelerated atherogenesis which ultimately results in late vein graft failure. To date no therapeutic intervention has proved successful in treating late vein graft failure and as such is a matter of some urgency. However, in recent years, several diverse approaches aimed at preventing neointimal formation have been devised which have yielded promising results. These include the use of external stents, gene therapy as well as conventional pharmacological interventions. The objective of this article, therefore, is to review these recent approaches and their potential clinical applications in the treatment of vein graft disease.
Keywords: Vein graft failure, treatment
Journal: Biorheology, vol. 39, no. 3-4, pp. 491-499, 2002
