[Calcium determination, enzyme biochemical and electron microscopy studies of saphenous veins in patients with coronary sclerosis or varicose veins].

In patients undergoing aortic-coronary bypass operations, essentially similar ultrastructural changes are found both in the fragments removed from the coronary arteries and in veins from the saphenous system that are about to be used as autografts. The most important changes involve the intima and media, and include an increase in the number of 'm' smooth muscle cells and degenerating or dying cells, together with enlargement of the total intercellular space of the media and an increase in the proportion of dysplastic collagen fibrils found there. Furthermore, both the venous grafts and the varicose veins of heavy smokers who inhale show an increase in the calcium content that is independent of age. On the other hand, varicose veins which have been stripped show no alteration in either beta-NAG or alkaline phosphatase activity as a result of smoking; although, in parts of the saphenous veins mobilised for transplantation, an increase in the activity of both enzymes is found which is dependent upon the number of cigarettes daily consumed by the patient.