Saphenous Vein Graft Aneurysms Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Dec 15, 2020
  • Author: Jesse P Jorgensen, MD; Chief Editor: Eric H Yang, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

Patients who have coronary artery revascularization with vein grafts and present with angina or infarction should have a thorough cardiac workup to exclude recurrent disease or aneurysm development. Diagnosis of saphenous vein graft aneurysm (SVGA) requires a high index of suspicion and may require multiple imaging modalities for the diagnosis to be made. 

During surgery, care must be taken to avoid manipulation of the aneurysm, as this may dislodge thrombi and result in distal embolization. Also, biopsy of a mediastinal mass without knowledge that it represents an SVGA could be catastrophic.

Differential Diagnoses