Non-reversed saphenous vein grafting: an improved technique or aortocoronary bypass surgery.

Prevention of graft failure produced by intervening valves in reversed segments of saphenous veins has been achieved by a new method of aortocoronary bypass surgery employing non-reversed, valve-free segments of vein. The large cephalic end of the greater saphenous vein segments is anastomosed to the aorta. The somewhat smaller, caudal end of the venous segment is anastomosed to the coronary artery, thereby reducing veno-coronary size discrepancy. Graft stenosis and thrombosis caused by venous valves is avoided.