Endovascular management of acute critical ischemia secondary to blunt tibial artery injury.

Abstract

We report a case of acute limb-threatening ischemia from blunt traumatic tibial arterial disruption managed with endoluminal techniques. An otherwise healthy 37-year-old man involved in a motorcycle crash sustained a compound fracture of his right tibia and fibula. Arterial insufficiency developed after surgical reduction of the orthopedic injuries that warranted selective angiography of the involved extremity. This demonstrated complete occlusion of the infrageniculate circulation at the level of the ankle. Recanalization of the posterior tibial artery was achieved by using coronary balloon-expandable stents, thereby reestablishing in-line flow to the foot. Clinical and noninvasive surveillance at 2 years confirmed patency of the recanalized artery with the absence of any ischemic symptoms. Arterial reconstruction of the infrapopliteal arterial tree poses a formidable challenge in the setting of blunt trauma. Recent improvements in endovascular skills, endoluminal technology, and imaging capabilities have allowed percutaneous reconstruction of challenging arterial pathology. Endovascular treatment of blunt tibial injuries is an alternative to complex open reconstructions. These patients require close long-term postoperative surveillance because the durability of such a repair remains unknown.