Hello. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern.
That is true. About re-occurrence nothing could be told, but it is true that there are certain probabilities for bypasses to close. The probability for a saphenous vein graft, used for bypass, to be found close is 50% after ten years. Whereas, for the arterial grafts (left or right internal mammary arteries) is around 8-15%, depending on various studies. Anyway, I do not think that these figures should worry you. The most important thing is that the surgery went well and you can live a normal and healthy life now. Even if the re-occurrence happens, there are other alternatives to treat the coronary arteries, such as
stent implantation into a certain native coronary
artery, bypass of which can be found narrowed or closed. As long as you are free of symptoms, there is nothing to worry about, however 6-monthly controls should be done. There are heralding symptoms, such as
angina or
shortness of breath, that speak for a narrowing or a new blockage within a graft vessel. In that case, coronary angiogram to control the native arteries and the patency of the grafts should be performed, and a strategy for treating new eventual blockages should be constructed.
I hope this is helpful.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton