Use of the internal jugular vein for carotid patch angioplasty

The internal jugular vein is an excellent source of autogenous tissue for carotid artery reconstruction because of its availability in the operative incision, adequate size, and ability to be harvested without morbidity. For 153 of 453 consecutive carotid reconstructions, the durability of the internal jugular vein (n = 76) and the greater saphenous vein (n = 77) as a patch angioplasty was compared. Mean postoperative follow-up was 17 months (1 to 52 months). The vein-patched carotid-bifurcation was studied by means of duplex ultrasonography to assess patency, detect restenosis, and measure cross-sectional diameter during systole. No carotid bifurcation occluded after operation. No ruptures or aneurysmal dilatations of the vein patches were observed. The maximum diameter (mean +/- SD) of the carotid patch angioplasties constructed with internal jugular vein (9.4 +/- 1.9 mm) was similar to patches made with greater saphenous vein (9.6 +/- 1.7 mm). In 95 patients serial duplex examinations demonstrated maximum diameter changes of the vein-patched internal carotid artery ranging from an increase of 3.5 mm to a decrease of 3.0 mm. Asymptomatic restenosis (greater than 50% diameter reduction) was detected in 2/95 (2.1%) patients. Because of the premium placed on the saphenous vein for peripheral arterial reconstruction and coronary artery bypass grafting, the ipsilateral internal jugular vein should be used more frequently for carotid patch angioplasty.