Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Patch Angioplasty in the Rat Aorta or Inferior Vena Cava
Published on: February 27, 2017
Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene patch angioplasty in carotid endarterectomy
1Central Jersey Vascular Specialists, Brick, New Jersey 08724, USA.
Purpose:
This study retrospectively reviewed the experience with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) patches for carotid endarterectomy in 924 consecutive procedures (753 patients) during a 17-year period.
Methods:
The records of all patients who underwent ePTFE patch angioplasty for carotid artery stenosis performed by one surgeon were reviewed. The criterion for surgery was stenosis of 80% or greater. Follow-up by use of noninvasive methods was done by 6 months after operation the first year and annually thereafter. Recurrent stenosis was confirmed with angiography. Life-table analysis was used to estimate the risk of restenosis.
Results:
Early morbidity and mortality included six deaths (0.6%), seven nonfatal strokes (0.9%), and 19 hemorrhages. Two postoperative infections occurred. There were no important aneurysmal dilations and no late hemorrhages. With a mean follow-up of 41.4 months (range 0 to 197), recurrent stenosis necessitating reoperation developed in 28 patients (3.7%). There were two late strokes. Life-table analysis indicated a 89% probability of freedom from stenosis at 120 months.
Conclusions:
In cases in which the decision to perform patch angioplasty is made at surgery, an ePTFE patch is an excellent alternative to autogenous saphenous vein, with a low rate of recurrences requiring operation and acceptable rates of perioperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality.
