Finding into death of Lilian Isabella Lister

87y · Female·Haemorrhage secondary to an ulcerated varicose vein

An 87-year-old woman died from haemorrhage secondary to an ulcerated varicose vein on her right leg. She had known venous insufficiency documented by duplex scan in November 2020, but no specific management plan for bleeding risk was implemented. She was found deceased at home after likely experiencing acute bleeding from the varicose vein ulcer. The coroner emphasised that fatal varicose vein rupture is rare (0.01% of deaths), but prevention is straightforward: rest, elevation, and direct pressure. The key clinical lesson is that patients with documented varicose veins and venous ulcers should receive clear written first aid instructions for acute bleeding, and public health education about this simple life-saving intervention should be widely disseminated.