Non-atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: Vasculitis, Popliteal Entrapment, Hypercoagulable

Vascular disease usually involves arterial stenosis, aneurysms, and dissections caused by atherosclerosis. The high prevalence of atherosclerosis ensures that most general surgeons have experience managing patients with traditional vascular disease. In contrast, non-atheroslcerotic disorders affecting the arteries and veins occur less frequently and may not be familiar to most clinicians. Left untreated, non-atherosclerotic vascular conditions can have serious and potentially fatal consequences. This chapter reviews clinically relevant non-atherosclerotic vascular diseases including hypercoagulable states, popliteal entrapment syndrome, Buerger’s disease, vasculitis, and fibromuscular dysplasia. Patients with these disorders differ from traditional vascular patients by age, comorbidities, presentation, and treatment. A basic understanding of non-atherosclerotic vascular disease can help general surgeons recognize and appropriately manage patients with these rare conditions.