The superficial femoral vein (now termed the femoral vein in current nomenclature) is the main venous channel of the thigh, running with the femoral artery in the femoral triangle and adductor canal before passing through the adductor hiatus to become the popliteal vein. It is the most common site for proximal lower limb DVT.
'Superficial femoral vein' is a misnomer that has led to clinical errors — DVT at this level was historically undertreated because 'superficial' implied it was not part of the deep venous system. Current nomenclature uses 'femoral vein' to reflect its deep location and clinical significance equivalent to any deep vein DVT. Duplex ultrasound is the primary diagnostic modality. Catheter-directed thrombolysis targets this vein in iliofemoral DVT.
Deep vein thrombosis of the femoral vein producing thigh swelling, pain, and Homans sign, carrying significant pulmonary embolism risk and requiring therapeutic anticoagulation for a minimum of 3 months.
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