Heavy Smoking Before Coronary Surgical Procedures Affects the Native Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Gene Expression in Saphenous Vein Conduits

Heavy smoking noticeably increases native MMP2 and MMP9 gene expression in the SV before CABG. Even after long-term cessation of smoking, the dysregulated MMP2 and MMP9 gene expression cannot recover to normal levels. With the elevated native MMP2 and MMP9 gene expression in the SV induced by heavy smoking, more vein graft disease can be found on long-term follow-up.