Surgical Management of Popliteal Artery Embolism at the Turn of the Millennium

Popliteal artery embolism has been a focus of study at the Massachusetts General Hospital for over 60 years. It is a formidable vascular problem with significant limb loss and mortality. To assess the impact of advances in cardiac and vascular therapies, we reviewed our outcomes over 12 years. A retrospective review from our databases identified 66 patients with 72 popliteal artery emboli between January 1989 and October 2000. Patients undergoing nonsurgical therapy or with in situ atherosclerotic thrombosis were excluded. Demographics, comorbidities, presentation, duration, etiology, treatment, and outcomes were analyzed. Patients were classified into those with acute (AP; symptoms <7 days; 59 of 72, 82%) or delayed (DP; symptoms >7days; 13 of 72, 18%) presentation. The presentation was typically acute ischemia (85%) in the AP group and claudication (69%), rest pain (15.5%), or gangrene (15.5%) in the DP group. The most common etiology was embolism secondary to atrial fibrillation (17 of 72, 24%). Femoral artery access (15 of 72, 21%) was more prevalent than in our prior experience. In the AP group, 9 of 59 (15%) were treated with a femoral artery approach, 44 of 59 (75%) with a popliteal artery approach, and 6 of 59 (10%) with bypass. In the DP group, 11 of 13 (85%) were treated with a popliteal approach and 2 of 13 (15%) with bypass. Completion angiography was done in 17 cases (24%). Limb salvage rate was 88% (88% AP, 85% DP); the rate was 94% with angiography and 85% without it (p > 0.1). There were seven deaths (10%). The mortality rate was 33% after amputation and 7% after limb salvage (p < 0.05). Except for a greater prevalence of femoral artery access as an etiology, the demographics of patients with popliteal embolism were similar to those of prior reports. Although a femoral approach may be appropriate in select AP cases, a popliteal approach is preferred in most patients and is necessary in DP cases. Completion angiography should be performed to ensure adequacy of the embolectomy. Outcomes are unchanged. Future therapies should aim to improve limb salvage and mortality rates.