Vein Grafts : At the end of ten years only 50 per cent of saphenous vein grafts are paten1 and 50 per cent of the rest may have significant atherosclerotic changes. In a large series 93 per cent of the grafts were patent at 5 years, 54 per cent at 10 years and 16 per cent at 15 years. To a certain extent patency depends on the atraurnatic handling at the time of harvesting. Strict control of risk factors for development of atherosclerosis will also improve long-term patency of venous grafts.