Reoperation in patients with patent coronary bypass grafts.

As the population of patients having undergone myocardial revascularization increases, the number of reoperations will escalate and reoperations of patients with patent grafts will become increasingly frequent. Successful management of this new surgical entity requires a clear understanding of the probability of atherosclerotic involvement of patent vein grafts and careful attention to technical detail. Patent vein grafts more than five years old should be replaced to avoid the potential for embolization of atheromatous material and late vein graft closure.