Popliteal Venous Aneurysm as a Cause of Fetal Pulmonary Thromboembolism: A Case Report

Abstract

Popliteal venous aneurysms are an uncommon but potentially life-threatening disease as they can be a source for pulmonary thromboembolism. We report a surgically treated case of a popliteal venous aneurysm as a cause of fetal pulmonary thromboembolism. A 56-year-old woman was admitted because of acute dyspnea. After the admission, she went into cardiopulmonary arrest. Basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation was not effective. She had to be resuscitated with percutaneous cardiopulmonary support. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed pulmonary thromboembolism and a popliteal venous aneurysm, which appeared to be a cause of the pulmonary thromboembolism. Thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator was performed immediately. Temporary inferior vena cava filter was placed, and anticoagulant therapy was started. After her condition became stable, tangential aneurysmectomy and lateral vein reconstruction were performed. She received anticoagulant therapy with warfarin consecutively. Six months postoperatively, contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed popliteal venous patency without recurrences both venous aneurysm and pulmonary thromboembolism.