Long-term follow-up of lesion-specific outcomes comparing drug-eluting stents and bare metal stents in diseased saphenous vein grafts.

Saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) are a common choice for bypassing obstructed coronary arteries. Repeat coronary artery bypass grafting has been found to have substantial rates of morbidity and mortality; therefore, SVG percutaneous intervention has emerged as a positive alternative for revascularization. Stenting of SVGs has been shown to be more beneficial than medical management or balloon angioplasty alone. The literature is conflicting with regard to which type of stent-bare metal stent (BMS) or drug-eluting stent (DES)-is best suited for treating graft failure. The authors provide long-term follow-up data of lesion-specific outcomes when comparing DES versus BMS in SVGs.