Two vascular complications of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV have thin walled, friable arteries and veins and are prone to spontaneous arterial rupture. We present a patient who suffered severe damage to the common femoral vein during surgery for varicose veins and who subsequently suffered a spontaneous rupture of the right external carotid artery, treated by ligation and oversewing. Intraarterial radiology and surgery in such patients are hazardous and should be avoided if possible. Where operation is essential, the simplest available procedure should be performed. Patients should be counselled to inform every doctor they consult that they have the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.