The transcutaneous measurement of the elastic properties of the human saphenous vein femoropopliteal bypass graft.

The pressure-strain elastic modulus and compliance of 20 reversed saphenous femoropopliteal vein grafts have been measured by a noninvasive, ultrasonic method. The grafts had been in place for an average of 33.6 months, 11 days to 128 months. In this study no correlation was demonstrated between wall stiffness and duration of implantation. It is concluded that the elastic properties of vein grafts may remain stable for considerable periods of time.