Percutaneous revascularization strategies in a patient with previous coronary artery bypass surgery: Technical and patho-physiological insights

Occasionally, in post-coronary artery bypass patients multiple percutaneous revascularization choices (treatment of the native artery versus treatment of the bypass graft) are available in order to obtain adequate blood supply of the ischemic myocardial region and relief of the anginal symptoms. Once a strategy has been chosen, the possibility to switch to the alternative plan should be considered in case unpredictable complications occur during the first treatment choice. A step-by-step assessment and prediction of the possible acute and long-term outcomes and complications should always be performed in order to optimize the results. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords:Coronary artery bypass surgery, Percutaneous coronary intervention, Coronary angiography