Everted cervical vein for carotid patch angioplasty

Abstract Because of the theoretic benefits of autologous vein we undertook an investigation to evaluate cervical veins (facial, external jugular) as patch material after carotid endarterectomy. A device that simulated both circumferential fixation by sutures and radial tension exerted on in vivo patches was constructed to measure burst strength of tissue. Mean bursting pressure for groin saphenous vein ( n = 10) was 94.5 ± 15.1 pounds per square inch (psi), 75.5 ± 8.9 psi for ankle saphenous vein ( n = 10), 83.3 ± 14.5 psi for everted (double layer) cervical vein ( n = 5) and 10 ± 3.3 psi for single layer cervical vein ( n = 5). No significant differences between saphenous vein at any level and everted (double layer) cervical vein, but all were significantly different from single layer cervical vein ( p