Pulmonary Embolism following Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) of the Great Saphenous Vein

A 70yr old lady presented to accident and emergency with sudden onset pleuritic chest pain. A pulmonary embolus (PE) was diagnosed by CTPA. Ten days earlier she had bilateral EVLA for recurrent long saphenous vein disease. Confounding risk factors for pulmonary embolism included bilateral ligation and stripping of the long saphenous vein a year earlier, malignancy, EVLA and phlebitic tributary varices. EVLA has been shown to be an effective treatment for superficial venous insufficiency with low morbidity and high patient satisfaction. The investigation of confounding risk factors and possible causes should not compromise the initial treatment of PE.