Long-term Results Following Endoscopic Vein Harvesting in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Vena saphena magna is still frequently used as graft material in coronary artery bypass grating(CABG, and vein grafts can harvest with either the conventional open technique (Ovh = open vein harvesting), or with less invasive endoscopic techniques (EVH = Endoscopic vein harvesting). The endoscopic techniques have been shown to reduce the incidence of postoperative wound complications while patients are more satisfied with the cosmetic result of the operation on the leg. Non-randomized studies have raised doubts about patency rates of the vein grafts following EVH compared to OVH, while other studies failed to detect any problems in relation to this. There are only very few data on long-term patency rates from randomized studies. The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical outcome and patency rates of the vein grafts following either EVH and OVH in 132 patients who underwent CABG for 4-7 years ago as part of a randomized study investigation wound complications. A cost-effectiveness analysis will also be performed. The hypothesis is: Patency rates following EVH are worse compared to OVH in CABG 4-7 years postoperatively.