The histological examination of vena saphena magna as a graft in coronary artery bypass surgery

Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures worldwide, owing to the increasing incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD), which remains a leading cause of death globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) data indicate that the number of deaths due to CAD is rising daily. It is therefore of utmost importance to evaluate the significance of coronary heart disease, which is a major health burden in terms of morbidity, mortality, and economic impact. Following CABG, the resulting in an increased risk of recurrent ischemic events and repeat revascularization. In the early and late postoperative period, the use of healthy grafts with intact endothelium is critical to reduce mortality and morbidity rates. In this study, the histopathological findings of Vena saphena magna grafts in patients who underwent CABG were evaluated to identify any preoperative degenerative changes in the grafts. The Vena saphena magna is the most common vein used for CABG procedures, and it is important to assess its histological condition before using it as a graft to avoid unsuitable grafts and reduce the incidence of complications. The findings of the study showed that preoperative morphological degeneration was minimal in most grafts. However, in one sample, intimal fibrosis narrowed the lumen, while another sample exhibited mild medial sclerosis. In contrast, all other samples showed minimal or negative degeneration. Therefore, the early and long-term durability of the Vena saphena magna graft depends on the extent of preoperative degeneration.