#46 | GMJ Podcast | Angioplasty of Saphenous Vein Grafts — Risks, Outcomes, and Clinical Strategies

In this episode of the ⁠GMJ Podcast — the official podcast of the Georgian Medical Journal⁠ — we present a clinically focused analysis of angioplasty in saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), based on a single-center retrospective study with a comprehensive literature review.Saphenous vein graft failure remains a significant challenge in long-term management of patients after CABG. This episode explores the complexity of treating degenerated or occluded vein grafts, where percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is often associated with higher complication rates compared to native vessel interventions.The discussion highlights key procedural risks, including distal embolization, no-reflow phenomenon, and restenosis, and examines strategies to optimize outcomes in this high-risk patient population.The episode examines key clinical considerations, including:• Pathophysiology and failure mechanisms of saphenous vein grafts• Indications for angioplasty in SVG lesions• Procedural risks, including distal embolization and no-reflow• Use of embolic protection devices and drug-eluting stents• Comparison of outcomes between SVG and native vessel interventions• Clinical decision-making in complex post-CABG patientsThe findings emphasize that angioplasty of saphenous vein grafts is inherently high-risk and requires careful patient selection, procedural planning, and use of advanced interventional techniques to minimize complications.From a clinical perspective, this episode underscores the importance of evidence-based strategies and operator expertise in improving outcomes for patients undergoing SVG interventions.This episode highlights the value of combining real-world clinical data with literature synthesis to inform best practices in interventional cardiology.https://gmj.ge/index.php/pub/article/view/19https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1913633Citation:Davarashvili, I., & Asher, E. (2026). Angioplasty of Saphenous Vein Grafts After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Single-Center Retrospective Study with Literature Review. The Georgian Medical Journal, 1(1), 228–243.https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1913633