| pubmed-article:11064545 | pubmed:abstractText | The patient population undergoing repeat coronary revascularization is increasing, with estimates of approximately 15% of these patients in need of alternative conduits. Pre-existing conditions may limit the availability of suitable autogenous vessels for complete coronary revascularization. As an alternative, previous investigators have attempted to develop prosthetic conduits for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but as yet without clinical success. To be of clinical benefit, a prosthetic graft would require demonstrated patency at least as good as a marginal quality autogenous vessel used in the same position, without unexpected adverse effects. The use of a prosthetic graft may also reduce surgical complications associated with conduit harvesting and thereby enhance the speed of patient recovery. | lld:pubmed |
