Alteration of "jetlike" laminar flow after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of saphenous vein bypass graft stenosis

Coronary angiography in a patient with a stenosis in a saphenous vein graft 7 years after surgical anastomosis demonstrated a striking angiographic "jetlike" laminar flow pattern. Both the severe stenosis and "jet" appearance were markedly altered after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). We believe this unusual angiographic finding represents visual evidence of a pressure gradient and severe disturbance of laminar flow across the lesion, which was improved after PTCA.