What is the expected durability of the saphenous vein as a graft compared to the radial artery?

The expected durability of the saphenous vein as a graft is generally shorter than that of the radial artery. This is due to several factors related to the physiological and histological differences between the two types of vessels.

The saphenous vein tends to develop intimal hyperplasia and atheromatous degeneration more rapidly than the radial artery. This may lead to an increased risk of graft failure over time. Additionally, the radial artery is a muscular artery, which allows it to maintain a more favorable patency due to its ability to adapt and resist changes in blood flow dynamics when used as a conduit during bypass procedures.

In contrast, the saphenous vein is a venous structure that may not handle arterial blood flow as effectively, leading to issues such as thrombosis and stenosis that can compromise graft durability. Thus, while both graft types have their uses, the radial artery generally demonstrates superior longevity and performance in coronary artery bypass grafting scenarios compared to the saphenous vein.