ABSTRACT
This chapter presents evidence that the atherosclerotic process can be altered both in native vascular beds and in various bypass grafts. The rationale for risk-factor reduction is to prevent potential problems from disease progression in vascular grafts and to reduce lesion progression in other vascular beds. The surgeon should be aware of the high probability that if one vascular bed requires surgery, then substantial atherosclerosis is also present in other vascular beds.[1] Postoperative management of patients requiring vascular surgery should therefore include systematic evaluation of all vascular areas where risk of end-organ damage is high as well as immediate normalization of lipid abnormalities, reduction of elevated blood pressure, and smoking cessation.
