1 Guidance

1 Guidance

1.1 Current evidence on endovascular stent-grafting of popliteal aneurysms is limited in quantity but shows no major safety concerns. Evidence on efficacy is inadequate because it is limited to the short-term. Therefore this procedure should only be used with special arrangements for clinical governance, consent and audit or research.

1.2 Clinicians wishing to undertake endovascular stent-grafting of popliteal aneurysms should take the following actions

  • Inform the clinical governance leads in their Trusts.

  • Ensure that patients and their carers understand the uncertainty about the procedure's long-term efficacy and provide them with clear written information. In addition, the use of NICE's information for patients ('Understanding NICE guidance') is recommended (available from www.nice.org.uk/guidance/IPG390/publicinfo).

  • Audit and review clinical outcomes of all patients having endovascular stent-grafting of popliteal aneurysms (see section 3.1).

1.3 Patient selection for this procedure should be carried out by a multidisciplinary team which should include a vascular surgeon and an interventional radiologist with specific training and experience in the technique.

1.4 NICE encourages further research into endovascular stent-grafting of popliteal aneurysms and may review this procedure on publication of further evidence.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)