VEST III trial - should we support the vein grafts?

摘要

VEST III trial is the largest randomized controlled trial to date to evaluate the role of external stents on late graft failure. In this study, an external stent was applied to vein grafts and compared with another unsupported vein graft in the same patient. The groups were compared for overall graft patency and intimal hyperplasia. Patent vein grafts were further assessed and graded based on the Fitzgibbon patency scale. This review discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the trial.