title: Arterio-venous fistula following endovenous laser ablation for varicose veins.
abstract: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) obliterates incompetent truncal veins as an alternative to varicose veins surgery. We describe 3 patients who developed an arterio-venous fistula (AVF) following great (GSV: 1) or small (SSV: 2) saphenous vein EVLA. Two fistulae closed spontaneously with conservative management. Concomitant venous and arterial wall thermal injury or needle trauma during administration of tumescent anaesthesia may cause this rare complication. Haemodynamic effects appear minimal and spontaneous closure is likely, supporting a non-interventional policy.
authors.affiliation: Leeds Vascular Institute, The General Infirmary at Leeds, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK.
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Theivacumar
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gough
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000601:surgery*