Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome: implications for nursing care.

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is an extremely rare phenomenon, with only 249 cases in the English literature over the past 30 years. Obstruction of the popliteal artery caused by abnormal anatomic development results in diminished blood supply to the extremity. Unlike more common vascular problems, this syndrome often produces claudication and symptoms of arterial insufficiency in young, healthy, even athletic individuals with no other apparent vascular risk factors. Accurate assessment and monitoring are critical in identifying this syndrome, minimizing complications, and preventing long-term adverse effects on activities of daily living.