Endovascular repair of a traumatic popliteal arteriovenous fistula

Abstract

We report a case of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) following osteosynthetic treatment of a fracture of the lower limb 13 years ago. A stent-graft technique had been used to close a high flow traumatic AVF between the popliteal artery and the popliteal vein. The failure to properly evaluate traumatic AVF may sometimes lead to remarkable delay in diagnosis with devastating consequences including edema, ischaemia, ulceration and high output heart failure. Endovascular treatment of these lesions is promising but long-term follow-up will be required to determine the durable patency and the onset of potential complications.