Retrospective analysis of XXXX pericardium (Vascu-Guard) for patch closure in carotid endarterectomies.

@entity1 @entity256 @entity86 @entity850 @entity291
BACKGROUND: It has been shown that patch closure after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) decreases the rate of recurrent @entity850 . This study was designed to evaluate the utility of @entity291 pericardium patch as an option for patch closure after CEA. METHODS: This retrospective study examined 845 CEAs with @entity291 patch closure that were performed by the surgeons of Indiana-Ohio Heart, Fort Wayne, IN, between May 2003 and March 2009. The average age of the @entity1 was 72.7    10.6 years and postoperative follow-up was performed using duplex ultrasound at (ideally) 1 month, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter. The average duration of follow-up for this study was 19.2    16.8 months (ranging from 1 day to 72 months). All @entity1 were evaluated for demographics and postoperative medications. @entity256 was categorized in three ways: nonsignificant (0-59% narrowing of the artery), significant (60-79%), or critical (80-99%). A total of 796 arteries were studied at least once during the postoperative period. RESULTS: None of the postoperative duplex studies revealed occlusion of the endarterectomized artery. At the mean follow-up duration, 323 endarterectomized arteries were studied. In all, 24  arteries (7.43%) had significant @entity850 and only two (0.62%) had critical @entity850 . These numbers compare favorably with the recurrent restenosis rates of other materials. Additionally, the effect of statins on restenosis rates was studied. We were unable to demonstrate a beneficial effect of postoperative statin therapy on restenosis rates. CONCLUSION: The use of @entity291 pericardium for patch closure in CEA yields excellent freedom from residual or recurrent @entity86 and the use of statins postoperatively failed to reduce the likelihood of residual or recurrent @entity850 .
