Atherosclerotic Change Occurring in an Autogenous Venous Arterial Graft

Abstract

Autogenous venous grafts are widely accepted as the method of choice for treatment of femoropopliteal occlusive disease because of their generally satisfactory long-term patency rates.^1,2 This long-term durability of vein grafts may in part be due to their resistance to atheromatous degeneration. On occasions when vein grafts have been recovered from patients,^3-7 such changes have not usually been found. Experimental reports have differed widely,^8,9 but when precise criteria are followed, vein grafts appear resistant to the development of atherosclerosis.¹⁰ It is extremely rare to encounter true atherosclerotic change occurring in vein grafts implanted clinically. This is indicated by the fact that the following case is, so far as we know, only the second such instance reported. Report of a Case A 36-year-old factory worker (unit No. 1-57-87) entered Strong Memorial Hospital for the first time on June 7, 1955, with an 8 month history of progressive,