The first clinical experience with a peripheral, self-expanding nitinol stent in the treatment of saphenous vein graft disease: angiographic evidence of late expansion

Abstract

The ideal intervention for degenerated saphenous vein grafts (SVG) is still controversial. We report the first use of a peripheral, self-expanding nitinol stent in the treatment of a patient with symptomatic SVG disease. The procedure was well tolerated, without any short- or long-term complications. Quantitative coronary analysis of a 3-month follow-up angiogram revealed a continued expansion of the nitinol stent. Larger scale trials are warranted to evaluate whether the self-expanding nitinol stents can be used alone or in adjunct to other modalities for the treatment of SVG disease. The case report is followed by a literature review of SVG stenting.