New Artificial Vein for Use in Bypass

In patients with CAD stenting and bypasses are common surgeries. Stenting has become much more common since it is a less invasive procedure, however, results from stenting are almost always inferior to the results of a bypass. With a stent, the patient has a higher cost and the possibility of restenosis, yet this procedure is still much more common than bypass. Scientists at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee have recently developed an artificial vein which could be used in bypass operations. This vein causes blood to flow in its natural corkscrew pattern and will hopefully prevent it from clogging. If trials go as planned, this could impact the number of bypass operations performed since it eliminates the need to harvest a section of the patient's veins for implantation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6449715.stm