title: Noninterruption of warfarin therapy is safe and does not compromise outcome in patients undergoing endovenous laser therapy (EVLT).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the need for cessation of oral anticoagulation with warfarin for patients undergoing endovenous laser therapy (EVLT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 2004 and July 2010, 518 patients underwent 770 EVLT procedures on the lower extremity, at our institution. Of these patients, 5 underwent a total of 12 separate lower extremity EVLT procedures for the treatment of symptomatic reflux without interruption of warfarin therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No bleeding complications were observed during the procedure or in early follow-up. None of the patients developed a deep venous thrombosis. Complete ablation of the target vessel was observed in all patients on follow-up Duplex ultrasounds at 1 and 8 weeks postintervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endovenous laser therapy can be safely performed and does not compromise target vessel ablation in patients receiving oral anticoagulation warfarin therapy. Warfarin therapy should not be routinely interrupted in patients undergoing this procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Riesenman
authors.forename: Dorian J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: de Fritas
authors.forename: Steve G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Konigsberg
authors.forename: Karthikeshwar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kasirajan
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin