An Attempt to Prevent Vein-Graft Failure After CABG

These researchers tested whether pretreating saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) with edifoligide, a novel oligonucleotide decoy that binds to E2F transcription factors, would inhibit neointimal hyperplasia and limit SVG failure after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

In a manufacturer-funded, multicenter trial, 3014 patients (median age, 64) were randomized, in double-blind fashion, to receive edifoligide or saline placebo 10 minutes before implantation. All SVGs in a single patient were treated with the same agent. Internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts were used in 92% of patients, along with a median of 2 vein grafts. Off-pump CABG was performed in 21% of patients. Angiography was performed in the first 2400 patients 12 to 18 months after …