Orally administered penicillamine is a potent inhibitor of neointimal and medial thickening in porcine saphenous vein-carotid artery interposition grafts

The administration of penicillamine reduces vein graft thickening and promotes positive remodeling through negation of copper-induced cell proliferation. Copper chelators may therefore be therapeutically useful in preventing late vein graft failure in patients undergoing reconstructive arterial surgery.