title: Does the choice of material influence early morbidity in patients undergoing carotid patch angioplasty?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was undertaken to determine whether the choice of material influences the early morbidity of patients undergoing carotid patch angioplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before undergoing carotid endarterectomy, 190 patients were randomized to receive 207 patch closures with either Dacron (USCI Sauvage knitted velour) or saphenous vein harvested from the thigh.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred seven Dacron and 100 vein patch angioplasties were performed. No significant difference was seen between the two groups in patient age, sex preoperative risk factors, or indication for operation (p > 0.25 for each variable). Among the patients undergoing Dacron patch angioplasty three strokes (two temporary and one permanent), seven episodes of bleeding requiring reoperation, and two neck wound infections requiring rehospitalization occurred. The final 32 patients with Dacron patch closures had their anticoagulation reversed and had no bleeding complications. Complications inpatients undergoing vein patch closure included one fatal perioperative stroke, two episodes of bleeding requiring reoperation including one patch rupture, and three groin infections requiring hospitalization. No significant difference was seen between the two groups in the rate of perioperative stroke (p = 0.62), episodes of bleeding (p = 0.17), or infection (p = >0.67).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carotid patch angioplasty can be performed with an acceptably low complication rate with either Dacron or vein, and the choice of patch material does not clinically affect patient morbidity. However, reversal of anticoagulation is recommended to minimize bleeding complications in patients undergoing Dacron patch angioplasty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Huntington Memorial Hospital, Pasadena, California, USA.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Kohl
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D012501:Saphenous Vein
chemical_list: D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates