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Histological appearances of the long saphenous vein
Author(s) -
Milroy C. M.,
Scott D. J. A.,
Beard J. D.,
Horrocks M.,
Bradfield J. W. B.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1711590408
Subject(s) - medicine , vein , artery , saphenous veins , connective tissue , bypass grafting , fibrosis , smooth muscle , muscle hypertrophy , saphenous vein graft , tunica media , anatomy , cardiology , surgery , pathology
The long saphenous vein is frequently used as a graft in both coronary artery and femoro‐distal bypass surgery. The histological changes which are seen after implantation into the arterial system have been well documented in the past, but little attention has been focused on the histological appearances of the donor long saphenous vein prior to grafting. In this study, samples of the long saphenous vein in excess of that required for bypass have been examined. In none of the veins did the histological appearances conform to the described normal. All showed evidence of intimal fibrosis which contained elastic tissue and enmeshed smooth muscle cells. The longitudinal and circular muscle layers showed evidence of muscle cell hypertrophy with increase in intervening connective tissue. Elsewhere, similar histological changes have been attributed to ‘arterialization’. This study shows that many of the changes are present prior to grafting and may be important in graft failure.