Abstract
Popliteal artery aneurysms are the most common peripheral artery aneurysms and occur significantly more commonly in men than in women. Popliteal aneurysms often coexist with other vascular pathologies - especially with aneurysms of a different location. The most common etiopathogenesis is atherosclerosis, rarely are caused by connective tissue diseases (Marfan's syndrome, Becket's disease) or infection. Uncomplicated popliteal aneurysms are often asymptomatic, only large-diameter aneurysms can be palpated as a pulsating tumor in the popliteal fossa. Complications of a popliteal artery aneurysm are a significant problem - most often thrombosis of the popliteal artery or peripheral embolism causing ischemia or compression on adjacent structures (popliteal vein, tibial nerve), while popliteal artery aneurysm rupture is very rare. Treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms includes endovascular implantation of a covered stent/stentgraft and open reconstruction with the use of an artificial vascular prosthesis made or the patient's native vessel. The method of surgical treatment depends on many factors - the diameter, length, and location of the aneurysm, neck kinking, the presence of a thrombus, compression on the adjacent structures, and patency of the outflow arteries and is selected individually. The results of planned operations of popliteal aneurysms are good and depend on the anatomical configuration of the aneurysm, coexisting vascular pathologies. Albeit the risk of limb amputation in the case of popliteal artery aneurysms triggering acute ischemia is significant and reaches 20%.
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