Ruptured aneurysm of the superficial femoral artery

Abstract

Introduction Aneurysm rupture is rare, most often affecting the distal third of the superficial femoral artery (SFA). An isolated aneurysm of the SFA is even rarer, occurring in only 1% of all femoral artery aneurysms and in 0.5% of all peripheral artery aneurysms. The aim of this report is to describe the diagnosis and surgical treatment of a rare case of a ruptured true aneurysm of the SFA.

Case report We present an 80-year-old man admitted due to sudden pain in his right leg. Physical examination and radiological imaging confirmed a ruptured isolated SFA aneurysm. SFA–SFA bypass surgery was performed in the distal femoral region of the right leg three months after the first symptoms occurred. An SFA–SFA bypass using an 8 mm Dacron graft was performed, and the patient achieved full recovery with palpable pedal pulses at the one-month follow-up. Two months after hospital discharge, the patient died from acute myocardial infarction, making further follow-up impossible.

Conclusion This report demonstrates that even three months after SFA aneurysm rupture, complete recovery can be achieved with an appropriate surgical technique.

Keywords: superficial femoral artery; ruptured aneurysm; true femoral aneurysm; rupture