Sudden occlusion of a saphenous vein bypass graft relieved by direct injection of nitroglycerine

Abstract

An unusual case of sudden occlusion of a saphenous vein bypass graft to the right coronary artery, during a coronary angtographlc study, is presented. Such occlusion was relieved by direct intragraft nitroglycerine injection, as typically happens in case of coronary arterial spasm. A possible pathogenetlc mechanism, based on the present knowledge of platelet aggregation and the role of the powerful vasoactive agent Throm‐boxane A₂, is discussed.