Effects of Arterial Hemodynamics and Cyclic Strain on Platelet Deposition to Human Saphenous Vein Segments Perfused Ex-Vivo

Abstract The greater saphenous vein, extending from the ankle to the groin along the medial side of either leg, is commonly used as a bypass conduit to reroute blood around blockages in both the coronary and peripheral arterial systems. Unfortunately, saphenous vein grafts often fail requiring re-operation. For example, one review found failure in 8–30% of the coronary artery vein grafts 30 days following surgery (von Segesser, 1990). While intimal hyperplasia accounts for the majority of long-term failures, occlusion of the bypass grafts during the first month is primarily due to thrombosis (Cox et al., 1991).