Catheterization and angioplasty of the nonopacified peripheral autogenous vein bypass graft

S. Sprayregen, F. J. Veith and C. W. Bakal
Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467.

Nonopacified lower extremity vein bypass grafts may not be thrombosed. Catheterization of these grafts should be performed whenever possible. If graft patency is demonstrated, vein graft angioplasty may restore flow without fibrinolytic therapy. In two cases of nonthrombosed nonopacified grafts, graft patency was demonstrated by catheterization of the grafts, and normal blood flow was restored by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.