Results of Carotid Endarterectomy Using Bovine Pericardium Patch Closure, with a Review of Pertinent Literature.

Patch closure after carotid endarterectomy lowers risk of recurrent stenosis and perioperative neurologic events. Although vein patches have theoretic benefits, few differences between vein and nonautologous patches have been noted. Bovine pericardium has been increasingly used in carotid surgery over the last 15 years, with favorable reports.