[Therapy of Peripheral Artery Aneurysms]

Abstract

Peripheral arterial aneurysms are rare vascular pathologies characterised by focal dilatation of at least 1.5-fold relative to the diameter of the native vessel. Primary arterial aneurysms can affect any segment of the arterial trunk. Diagnostic tests include duplex sonography, CT and MR angiography, and digital subtraction angiography. It is essential that the influx and efflux to the aneurysm should be mapped as precisely as possible. The most common type of peripheral arterial aneurysms are popliteal artery aneurysms, which frequently occur with aorta aneurysms. Peripheral arterial aneurysms are more common in patients with connective tissue disease or autoimmune disease (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, Behçet's disease). The current gold standard for therapy is surgery, although endovascular therapies have also been described. As the condition is rare, there is insufficient evidence to compare these approaches. Results from several register studies and single centre studies in patients with popliteal aneurysms indicate that endovascular therapy can give similar outcomes to open therapy if patients are carefully selected. Nevertheless, open surgery remains the gold standard. Therapy of aneurysms of the extremities must consider individual treatment criteria, such as the morphology of the aneurysm, its anatomical localisation - particularly with respect to mobilise segments, vascular efflux and the patient's general condition.