The Effect of Extracellular Matrix Patch on Femoral Artery after Endarterectomy

Background: CorMatrix is a unique extracellular matrix (ECM) that is made from porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS). It is processed to remove cells but leaving molecules such as collagen, growth factors, proteins, and cytokines. This biomaterial does not calcify when surgically implanted, without any or with minor inflammatory reaction, supports native tissue repair by providing a bioscaffold that gives a patient’s own cells to repopulate and repair damaged tissue. It has been used for pericardial reconstruction, cardiac tissue repair, vascular applications and wound treatment. Methods: We used CorMatrix porcine SIS-ECM on four patients after endarterectomy of femoral arteries as patch angioplasty. They had a control examination by color Doppler ultrasound one year after the operation. Results: One of the patients died two days after the operation due to cardiac arrest. Two patients had a normal patency through the common femoral artery with CorMatrix. Spectral analysis showed normal triphasic flow pattern with adequate velocity. The third patient, who had stenosis of the external iliac artery in distal part before the operation, now had restenosis. There was patency through the common femoral artery and CorMatrix with only marginal wall thickening. Conclusion: CorMatrix porcine SIS-ECM proved as a good and safety patch.