Acute iliac artery thrombosis and pulsatile femoral and popliteal veins in the same extremity: a case report

Abstract

Systemic venous pressure is elevated in right heart failure, and this elevation may be reflected in pulsatile venous flow when there is significant tricuspid regurgitation. The presence of this systolic reversed flow in the femoral and popliteal veins may result in major difficulties for diagnosis and treatment. We report the case of a patient with signs and symptoms of acute ischemia of the right lower limb with palpable pulse in the groin and popliteal fossa. Tricuspid regurgitation was suspected by clinical examination, and Doppler ultrasonographic examination of the extremity revealed pulsatile flow in the femoral and popliteal veins while the iliac arterial axis was occluded. A preoperative angiogram revealed an underlying iliac artery thrombosis, which was successfully treated.