ABSTRACT
The saphenous vein (SV) is usually a wonderful structure for use as a conduit for bypassing 1 or more severe narrowings in a coronary artery. If, however, the lumen of the SV is small, because of superimposed phlebosclerosis or simply initial small size, the SV may not serve as an adequate conduit. The January 1 issue of the AJC contains a report describing the frequency of phlebosclerosis and the degrees of luminal narrowing produced by it in SV remnants not used for coronary bypass grafts. The present report was prompted by observing 2 SVs at necropsy, a small-sized one containing considerable phlebosclerosis anastomosed directly to the aorta, and a good-sized one with a good lumen anastomosed not to the aorta, but to the small phlebo-sclerotic SV. This type of use of the SV does not appear reasonable.
