SVS Publishes Clinical Practice Guidelines on Popliteal Artery Aneurysms

June 28, 2021—The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) announced the publication of new clinical practice guidelines on popliteal artery aneurysms. The document by Alik Farber, MD, et al is available online in Journal of Vascular Surgery.

According to SVS, the practice guidelines offer recommendations to inform the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment options, and follow-up of patients with popliteal artery aneurysms. The guidelines include evidence-based recommendations regarding the evaluation of patients with known popliteal aneurysms, as well as size thresholds for repair. Specific circumstances under which aneurysms may be considered for repair at a smaller size are also provided.

Additionally, the document provides recommendations for open versus endovascular repair are given for specific patient populations based on life expectancy, as are recommendations for urgent treatment of thrombosed popliteal aneurysms based on the Rutherford acute ischemia stage at presentation.

As noted in the SVS announcement, popliteal artery aneurysms can cause limb loss. Therefore, early diagnosis, careful follow-up, and timely treatment of this condition are paramount. The clinical practice guideline seeks to help vascular surgeons achieve the goal of treatment, which is to prevent aneurysm complications including amputation, and to allow for a patient’s rapid return to their baseline functional level.

Dr. Farber, who served as Chair of the SVS Popliteal Guideline Writing Group, commented in the SVS press release, “Physical finding of a bounding popliteal pulse or a history of an abdominal aortic aneurysm or a popliteal aneurysm in another limb should lead to an ultrasound of the popliteal artery, a widely available and inexpensive test. Surgical bypass and endovascular stent grafting, both have a role in treatment of appropriately selected patients and these interventions can prevent leg amputation.”