A Surgical Experience of Popliteal Venous Aneurysm Associated with Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism

Abstract

Popliteal venous aneurysm (PVA) is recognized as source of fatal pulmonary embolism ; surgical treatment is indicated. A 79-year-old woman presented with acute shortness of breath. A cardiac ultrasound echography showed right heart overload and pulmonary hypertension. A contrast enhanced CT revealed multiple pulmonary artery emboli and right popliteal venous aneurysm. She was immediately started anticoagulation therapy with oral factor Xa inhibitor and her dyspnea improved. As thrombus in venous aneurysm was considered the cause of the pulmonary embolism, we recommended surgical treatment. Tangential aneurysmectomy with lateral venorrhaphy for the saccular venous aneurysm was performed. Postoperative contrast enhanced CT showed good morphology and she was discharged without complication. Surgical treatment of symptomatic popliteal venous aneurysm is considered useful strategy.