Abstract

Aneurysms of saphenous vein grafts are infrequent complications of coronary bypass surgery. Although these aneurysms are usually asymptomatic, they may lead to sudden death by rupture or compression of cardiac chambers and vascular structures. A sixty-three year old male patient, who had undergone coronary bypass surgery eighteen years ago, was admitted with chest pain. The patient also had a history of renal transplantation. Coronary angiography revealed an aneurysm of the saphenous vein graft to the right coronary artery and occlusion of native right coronary artery. Computed tomography demonstrated a giant (130x100x100 mm) saphenous vein graft psudoaneurysm compressing the right atrium and ventricule. The aneurysm was approached through a median sternotomy and resected without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Saphenous vein graft aneurysms can potentially reach large dimensions. In such cases, surgery is the choice of treatment. Surgical resection can be performed without CPB when coronary revascularizaton is not needed.

Key words: Saphenous Vein; Graft; Coronary Artery Bypass; Aneurysm.