The long-term patency of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) is poor compared to arterial bypass grafts. Re-do coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is high risk, thus graft failure often requires revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). While PCI to the native vessels is preferable, PCI to SVGs is sometimes necessary despite being associated with a high incidence of stent failure. While early SVG degeneration is associated with friable disease, calcification becomes an increasing problem in older grafts. Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) has been demonstrated to be safe and effective in the treatment of calcified native coronary artery disease (CAD). We present the first case series of five patients undergoing PCI to de novo SVG disease or SVG stent failure utilizing IVL for calcium modification.
Keywords: calcium; coronary artery disease; in-stent restenosis; intravascular lithotripsy; saphenous vein graft.
© 2020 The Authors. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.