Valvulotomy of valves in the saphenous vein graft before coronary artery bypass.

Occasionally, repeat angiograms disclose turbulence, with or without clot formation, at the valve sites in saphenous veins used as coronary artery bypass grafts. A simple valvulotomy may be used to split these valves to allow a more even flow and to avoid the valve recess where air may be trapped or thrombus formed. A potential cause for perioperative infarction or graft failure may thus be avoided.