During coronary artery bypass graft surgery, a surgeon takes a segment of a healthy blood vessel (an artery or vein) from another part of the body and uses it to create a detour or bypass around the blocked portion of the coronary artery. That process is called vein harvesting. Traditionally, vein harvesting is accomplished through a lengthy surgical incision in the leg. However, a less invasive method called endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) is becoming more common and is the preferred method of vein harvesting among centers that are properly equipped.

Traditional vein harvesting requires an incision to remove the blood vessel being used for the bypass graft, leaving the patient with a long scar. By contrast, EVH requires one to three small incisions, each less than 1 inch in length. A special video camera (called an endoscope) is then used to allow the physician to clearly view the vein harvesting.

In addition to avoiding a scar, patients undergoing EVH are also less likely to experience complications and usually have shorter recovery times. Because of these advantages, more bypass procedures are being performed using endoscopic vein harvesting. Most people who require a bypass operation are candidates for EVH.