Right superficial femoral artery occlusion
A right superficial femoral artery occlusion is a blockage of the right superficial femoral artery, most commonly due to atherosclerotic plaque or acute thrombosis.
Artery and anatomic significance
The superficial femoral artery runs in the thigh and supplies blood to the leg below the knee.
Common causes
Atherosclerotic disease is the most common cause of a chronic superficial femoral artery occlusion.
Acute occlusion can occur from sudden thrombosis on top of preexisting plaque or from an embolus.
Typical clinical manifestations
Reduced blood flow may cause exertional leg pain (claudication), rest pain, or tissue loss depending on severity.
Physical findings can include diminished distal pulses and coolness of the foot.
Usual evaluation and next steps
Assessment typically includes vascular history and physical examination, ankle-brachial index and/or duplex ultrasound.
Further imaging such as CT angiography or catheter angiography may be used to define the lesion and guide revascularization decisions.
Treatment overview
Management depends on the cause (chronic atherosclerosis vs acute thrombosis) and the severity of limb ischemia.
Chronic disease is managed with risk-factor modification and antithrombotic therapy, and severe cases may require endovascular or surgical revascularization.
Acute limb-threatening ischemia requires urgent vascular treatment to restore perfusion.