Popliteal artery aneurysms.
Altogether 59 patients with 76 popliteal artery aneurysms were treated during the last 36 years. There were 50 (85%) male and 9 (15%) female patients with an average age of 61 years. Nineteen (32%) patients had bilateral aneurysms. The clinical manifestations of the aneurysms included ruptures 4 (5.3%); deep venous thrombosis 4 (5.3%); sciatic nerve compression 1 (1.3%); leg ischemia 52 (68.4%), and asymptomatic pulsatile masses 15 (19.7%). Seventy (92%) aneurysms were atherosclerotic, one (1.3%) mycotic, and four (5.3%) traumatic; one (1.3%) developed owing to fibromuscular displasia. Seven (9.2%) small, asymptomatic aneurysms were not operated on. Reconstructive procedures end-to-end anastomosis, graft interposition, bypass) after aneurysmal resection or exclusion using a medial or posterior approach were done in 59 cases. An autologous saphenous vein graft was used in 49 cases, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in 5, and heterograft in 2 cases. The in-hospital mortality rate was 2.9%, the early patency rate 93.3%, and limb salvage 95%. The long-term patency rate after a mean follow-up of 4 years was 78% and long-term limb salvage 89%. The total limb salvage was 73%, and the total amputation rate was 27%. The dangerous complications associated with popliteal artery aneurysms and the good results after elective procedures suggest that operative treatment is appropriate.
Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases of the Serbian Clinical Centre, Yugoslavia.
L B
LB
Davidovic
S I
SI
Lotina
D M
DM
Kostic
I S
IS
Cinara
S D
SD
Cvetkovic
D M
DM
Markovic
B R
BR
Vojnovic
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000792:Angiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005528:Foot / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures