Cardiac Surgery Medical Malpractice

Shocking Instances of Cardiac Surgery Medical Malpractice Resulting in Wrongful Death

 

According to the American College of Cardiology, cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of death in the United States in 2016. Sometimes, cardiovascular disease and cardiac conditions can require the need for surgery. Cardiac surgery is considered to be major surgery, but often can be quite beneficial when it is indicated. It can aid in restoring heart function, improve quality of life, and prevent untimely death. While cardiac surgery can have it’s benefits (and risks), there are times when surgeons may make surgical errors, causing serious harm or even death to the patient. Patient’s undergoing surgery feel that they are in good hands with their surgeons and often do not worry about avoidable complications due to negligence. 

 

Common Types of Heart Surgeries

 

There are many different types of heart surgeries, with some being more risky than others. Examples of heart surgeries include the following:

 

• Heart valve repair
• Aneurysm repair
• Heart valve replacement
• Ventricular assistive device insertion
• Pacemaker insertion
• Coronary artery bypass graftin (CABG)
• Maze surgery
• Heart transplant
• Insertion of ventricular assist device

 

Common Risks for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgeries

 

• Infection
• Anesthesia reactions
• Stroke
• Bleeding
• Tissue damage to the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs
• Death

 

How Can Complications be Due to Medical Malpractice?

 

There are many errors that can occur, causing serious complications. Surgeons may try to tell the patient or family members that the complication that occurred was unavoidable, but this is not always the case. Sometimes, surgeons are aware of their errors but instead try to cover them up, thinking the patient and their family may not realize that the complication was actually avoidable. This is pure medical malpractice. Examples of complications during heart surgery due to medical malpractice include the following:

 

• Coronary artery damage
• Overinflation of the balloon catheter
• Damage to the blood vessels
• Puncture of the heart
• Blood clots
• Infection
• Heart attack and heart attack misdiagnosis or delays in treatment
• Cognitive deficits
• Stroke
• Damage to the electrical conduction in the heart
• Internal bleeding
• Kidney impairment
• Release of existing plaque 

 

Causes of Complications Due to Medical Malpractice

 

There are many potential causes of complications due to medical malpractice. While it is important to note that not all complications are caused by medical malpractice, many are. Examples of these causes include the following:

 

• Use of defective device 
• Failing to remove surgical equipment (i.e. instruments, sponges, etc) from the patient’s body
• Failing to adhere to sterile procedure, leading to infection
• Administration of the incorrect dose of anesthesia, leading to complications 
• Performing the wrong cardiac procedure on the patient 
• Puncture of the heart due to error
• Excessive bleeding due to incisional or puncture errors
• Failing to properly monitor the patient during and after the surgery
• Failing to use proper technique while performing the surgery
• Performing a procedure that is unnecessary 
• Failing to properly ventilate the patient during the surgery, leading to brain damage or even death
• Use of equipment that is not sterile
• Overinflation of the balloon catheter

 

These are just a few of the many ways that medical malpractice can occur during cardiac surgeries. These complications due to medical malpractice can be life-changing or even life-ending, and therefore proper investigation should be conducted to ensure you or your loved one received the best possible care during their surgery. 

 

Did Cardiac Surgery Medical Malpractice Harm You?  Did it Wrongfully Kill a Loved One?  We Can Help

 

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

 

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

 

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.