popliteal artery aneurysm means focal dilatation of this vessel -abnormal expansion of its wall (in the form of a protrusion), which leads to an increase in the lumen relative to the normal diameter of at least 150%.

This is a problem of the circulatory system, of which arterioles are a part and, according to ICD-10, its code is I72.4 (popliteal artery aneurysms and arterial layers of the lower extremities).

Epidemiology:

Popliteal artery aneurysm is a rare disease, and its frequency in the population is estimated to be 0.1-1%. However, among peripheral arterial aneurysms, it is the most common: popliteal artery aneurysms account for 70-85% of aneurysms of the lower extremities.

As clinical statistics show, the prevalence of this disease increases with age, reaching a maximum incidence after 60-70 years.

The main patients (95-97%) are men (most likely because of their predisposition to atherosclerosis).

The presence of a popliteal artery aneurysm of the popliteal artery in 7-20% of cases (according to other sources, in 40-50%) is associated with aneurysms of other vessels. 

Especially, in individuals with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, the incidence of popliteal artery aneurysms is 28% higher than in the general population.

In addition, in 42% of patients (according to other data, in 50-70%) a lateral or bilateral popliteal artery aneurysm was observed.

What is a popliteal artery aneurysm?

A peripheral popliteal artery aneurysm is a condition that occurs in the popliteal artery, which is positioned behind the knee joint and supplies blood to the lower limbs and turns abnormally dilated and weakened. 

Popliteal artery aneurysms can be due to atherosclerotic plaques, a buildup of plaque at the internal walls of the artery, or by way of a connective tissue ailment including Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Popliteal artery aneurysms are more common in men and older adults, and there may be no signs appearing at the start. however, as popliteal artery aneurysms grow larger, popliteal aneurysms can compress the encircling nerves and vessels, leading to aches, numbness, and tingling within the lower limbs and foot. 

In some instances, a clot may also shape in popliteal artery aneurysm and cause a blockage, which can lead to acute limb ischemia and tissue harm.

What is ICD-10 code for left popliteal artery aneurysm?

The ICD-10 code for popliteal artery aneurysm is I72.3. 

This code falls under the category of “popliteal artery aneurysms and dissection of artery, unspecified site.” 

The area of the peripheral aneurysm is known through using extra codes that specify the affected site, in this case, “left popliteal artery.” the whole code might seem like this: I72.3 – Aneurysms and dissection of the artery, unspecified site, with “popliteal artery aneurysm” as the extra descriptive diagnosis. 

What are popliteal artery aneurysm complications?

Popliteal artery aneurysms can cause a number complications, including:

1. Blood clots: A clot can shape inside the peripheral popliteal artery aneurysms, leading to a blockage of blood vessels to the lower legs and foot. this could cause acute ischemic limb, tissue harm, and even gangrene.
2. Embolism: portions of the clot can destroy and travel downstream, causing a blockage in smaller vessels within the leg or foot.
3. Rupture: In  NOT common cases, popliteal artery aneurysms can rupture, causing intense bleeding and doubtlessly life-threatening complications.
4. Nerve compression: because popliteal artery aneurysms(PAA) grow larger, it may compress the surrounding nerves, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling within the lower leg and foot.
5. Limbs ischemia: reduced flow to the lower leg and foot can motivate tissue damage and lead to persistent ischemic limbs, which can cause aches, ulcers, and even amputation in severe cases.
6. Pulmonary embolism: Clots that shape within peripheral popliteal artery aneurysms (PAA)  can travel to the lungs, inflicting a blockage in the pulmonary artery and doubtlessly existence-threatening complications.
7. Cardiovascular complications: peripheral popliteal artery aneurysms (aneurysms) (PAA) are often associated with different cardiovascular sicknesses, together with atherosclerosis, which could increase the hazard of heart attack and stroke.

Peripheral popliteal artery aneurysms (aneurysms) can also contain tracking the popliteal artery aneurysm, medicine to manage symptoms and prevent clots, and surgical procedures to restore or dispose of the aneurysm (aneurysms), relying on the size and vicinity of the aneurysm  (aneurysms) and the affected person’s typical fitness. 

Early detection and remedy can assist save you from complications and enhance outcomes.

How to diagnose popliteal artery aneurysm?

Peripheral popliteal artery aneurysms (aneurysms) can be identified through a mixture of scientific history, physical exam, and diagnostic checks. 

Here are the most usual methods used for diagnosis:

1. Medical records: Your healthcare provider will ask about your signs, medical records, and any danger factors for vascular ailment, inclusive of smoking, high pressure, or diabetes

2. Physical exam: at some point during a physical examination, your healthcare company will check the pulses on your legs and feet and search for any signs and symptoms of swelling or discoloration. 

They’ll also use a stethoscope to listen for abnormal sounds, which include a bruit, that may imply a popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA).

3. Imaging exams: Imaging assessments, such as ultrasound, CT angiography, or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), are used to visualize the vessels and discover any abnormalities, which include an aneurysm (aneurysms). 

Those assessments can also provide records of approximately the size, site, and shape of the popliteal artery aneurysm (aneurysms).

As soon as a peripheral popliteal artery aneurysm (aneurysms) is identified, your healthcare company will decide the perfect treatment based totally on the size, location, and symptoms of the popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA), as well as your ordinary fitness and person situations. 

Options might also consist of observation and monitoring, medicinal drugs, open surgical restoration, or thrombectomy or embolectomy. 

Early detection and remedy of a popliteal artery aneurysm (aneurysms) commonly help save you from complications and improve consequences. 

What are the treatment options for popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA)?

1. Observation and monitoring: If the peripheral popliteal artery aneurysm (aneurysms) is small and now not inflicting any signs, it may be monitored with regular checks, including ultrasound or CT angiography, to test for any adjustments in length or form. 

This approach is commonly used for patients who aren’t suitable applicants for surgical or endovascular repair, including older adults or people with other medical conditions.

2. Medicinal drugs: we commonly use medicinal drugs together with antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications which can be prescribed to control symptoms consisting of ache, numbness, or tingling inside the lower leg and foot, and to save clots from forming within the peripheral popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA). 

Those medicinal drugs are commonly prescribed in observation with monitoring.

3. Endovascular Surgery: Endovascular repair is a minimally invasive process that entails putting a stent graft within the peripheral popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) to boost the weakened artery partitions and commonly prevent it from rupturing or causing other headaches. 

This is commonly achieved beneath nearby anesthesia and through a small incision in the groin or upper thigh. 

Endovascular surgery is usually endorsed for sufferers who are top applicants for the manner and have a popliteal aneurysm that is not too large or complicated.

4. Open surgical repair: In instances in which the popliteal aneurysm (PAA) is large or complex, or if endovascular surgery isn’t always viable or secure, open surgical restoration may be essential. 

This includes making an incision in the leg doing away with the broken section of the artery aneurysm and replacing it with a graft manufactured from artificial material or a vein from any other part of the body. 

Open surgical restoration is normally finished underneath fashionable anesthesia and requires an extended recuperation time than endovascular restoration.

5. Thrombectomy or embolectomy: If a blood clot has formed in the popliteal aneurysm or aneurysm (PAA), a thrombectomy or embolectomy may be accomplished to take away the clot and restore flow. 

That is commonly accomplished using minimally invasive techniques, which include a catheter-primarily based approach and can be combined with endovascular or surgically restored if important.

The choice depends on the scale, area, and symptoms of the popliteal aneurysm (PAA), as well as the patient’s average fitness and character situations. Your healthcare issuer can help determine which alternative is first-rate for you. 

Early detection of popliteal artery aneurysm can assist prevent complications and enhance outcomes.

What are risks associated with each treatment option?

1. Observation and monitoring: the principal hazard related to that is that the peripheral popliteal aneurysm may develop or rupture, main to doubtlessly lifestyle-threatening complications. but, this hazard is usually low for small popliteal aneurysms that do not cause any signs and symptoms.

2. Medicinal drugs: the threat associated with medicinal drugs is bleeding, as those drugs can boost the risk of bleeding or bruising. In uncommon cases, those medicines also can cause more severe bleeding, along with gastrointestinal bleeding or bleeding within the brain

3. Endovascular repair: The risks related to endovascular restoration include bleeding, infection, and damage to the artery or surrounding tissue. 

There is also a hazard that the stent graft in popliteal aneurysms might also flow or come to be blocked, which may cause clots or other complications. 

4. Open surgical restore: The risks associated with open surgical restore of popliteal aneurysms encompass bleeding, infection, and damage to the artery or surrounding tissue. 

There’s additionally a threat of complications related to anesthesia, which includes allergic reactions or breathing issues. 

Restoration time is longer than with endovascular restoration of popliteal aneurysms, and there is a better hazard of wound complications, such as infection or bad healing.

5. Thrombectomy or embolectomy: The risks related to thrombectomy or embolectomy consist of bleeding, contamination, and harm to the artery or surrounding tissue. 

There is also a chance of dislodging the clot and causing it to travel downstream, which could cause similar blockages or complications.

It is essential to be aware that these dangers range from how it is common according to the specific patient and their occasions. 

Your healthcare provider can help you apprehend the risks and benefits of every option and help you make a knowledgeable selection approximately your care.

Finally, you should know that dilation or bulge of arteries specially located or occurring in the popliteal is very serious and you should seek our center for good management.