Angiosomes of the Leg and its Relationship with Anatomical Variations of the Popliteal Artery

The knowledge of the anatomical variability is important for vascular surgeons. The different variations of the popliteal artery may have implications in the planning of the vascular graft, direct surgical reparation, transluminal angioplasty or in the embolectomy. The aim of this study is to analyze the different branching patterns of the popliteal artery and its branches, and its importance in the manifestation of different angiosomes present in the leg region.Design: Retrospective analysis of cases series. We analyze the branching patterns of the popliteal artery in 22 angiographies performed by the technique of direct arterial puncture between March 2010 and March 2012. The usual pattern mostly founded was IA. In 6 cases, bilateral studies were performed and symmetry was observed in 76%.The knowledge of different branching patterns of the popliteal artery and its manifestation in peripheral arterial pathology in relation with affected angiosomes is fundamental for the vascular surgeon in relation to the planning of the therapeutic to follow in each single case.