The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of vein graft diameter on graft patency and flow. In both legs of 12 dogs the (large) femoral vein and (small) lateral saphenous vein were bypassed onto their respective femoral arteries at identical levels. Graft flows and diameters were recorded, and early (10 days) and late (6 or 12 months) angiograms were performed. All 24 vein grafts were patent on both early and late studies. There was no statistically significant difference between large and small graft flows intraoperatively or at sacrifice (6 or 12 months). This study suggests that there is no advantage to the use of small calf veins over larger thigh veins for coronary artery bypass grafting.
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