Correlation of platelet survival time with occlusion of saphenous vein aorto-coronary bypass grafts.

Platelet survival time is frequently shortened in patients with coronary artery disease, and it is one of several factors that might contribute to graft occlusion after saphenous vein coronary artery bypass (CAB). In 35 patients with CAB, average platelet survival (autologous labeling with 51Chromium) was shortened in 20 with one or more saphenous vein grafts occluded and normal in 15 with all grafts open. Of 15 with all grafts open, individual levels of platelet survival were normal in 10 while in 20 with one or more grafts occluded platelet survival was normal in only one. Platelet survival was not altered by coronary surgery and nine of ten with shortened platelet survival pre-operatively had graft occlusion. Platelet survival did not correlate with either parent artery occlusion or serum lipoproteins. These findings suggest a relationship between shortened platelet survival and saphenous vein graft occlusion and suggest that platelet suppressant therapy might be useful in preventing graft occlusion.