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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Using arteries instead of veins for grafting
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Using arteries instead of veins for grafting
by James A. Butler, Dec 16, 1999 12:00AM
I am a 57 year old male that had bypass surgery at the age of 39.I am now a canidate for a second bypass.My cardiologist has talked to me about using arteries from my chest instead of a leg vein to use as a graft.This all sounds very encouraging but I read that the length of the arteries is a lot shorter and that they must be used at the beginning of the graft as opposed to using a leg vein.It appears that I could have a lot better result with the artery graft and that it would not become plugged as fast as a vein.Am I pinning too much hope on the artery graft?I had a five way bypass in 1982.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB, Dec 16, 1999 12:00AM
When possible, I definitely favor arterial grafts over vein grafts, especially in young patients such as yourself. If your surgeon can use the arteries form your chest wall, that would be terrific. In general, the arteries last much longer than the veins (although you actually seem to have done well with the veins).
Member Comments (2)
by Nick, Dec 16, 1999 12:00AM
Thank you James for sharing the details of your age and the bypass surgery. I had bypass surgery three years ago and it is encouraging to find someone that has gone so long before another bypass. Did you do anything special other than diet and exercise to reach this milestone. Good luck with you surgery.
by poseur, Mar 17, 2009 01:46PM
A related discussion, Length of Heart Graft was started.
