Does stenosis severity of native vessels influence bypass graft patency? A prospective fractional flow reserve-guided study.

Background: After coronary bypass surgery, occlusion or narrowing of bypass grafts may occur over time. The present study prospectively evaluated the angiographic patency of bypass grafts after 1 year in relation to the preoperative angiographic and functionally severity of the coronary lesion assessed by fractional flow reserve measurement to test the hypothesis that grafting of less critical stenosis may be a risk factor for early dysfunction of the graft.

Methods: The study comprised 164 patients eligible for coronary artery bypass surgery who were not suitable for percutaneous intervention and with at least one intermediate lesion.