Atherosclerotic aneurysm formation in a femoropopliteal saphenous vein graft

Abstract

We have reported a case of nonanastomotic atherosclerotic aneurysm occurring in an autogenous saphenous vein graft nine years after implantation. This is an unusual development, as aneurysmal degeneration of autogenous vein grafts has been reported only three times previously. In addition, atherosclerotic change in these conduits commonly takes the form of occlusion rather than aneurysm. The loss of elastic tissue seen in our patient's vein graft is uncharacteristic, but may have predisposed to the development of aneurysmal change.