Cardiology refers to the area of medicine concerning the heart and blood vessels. It is closely related to vascular medicine, but this is a separate area. Cardiac surgery relates to the surgical interventions relating to these conditions.
There are estimated 7.6 million people living with heart and circulatory disease in the UK. Around 13 babies per day are diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. 480 people per day are estimated to die from these diseases, with 190 from coronary heart disease. The figures are staggering.
Many cardiac surgery procedures are carried out each year in the UK and most of them are carried out successfully without any incident.
There are a huge number of different areas which could be covered by this umbrella including, but not limited to:
- Ischaemic Heart Disease (such as angina and myocardial infarction – heart attacks)
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Pulmonary oedema
- Cerebrovascular disease (stroke)
The type of clinician treating and diagnosing cardiac conditions can vary, and include, but not limited to, cardiac physiologists, interventional radiologists, cardiologists and cardiac surgeons.
What Can Go Wrong?
Of course, some complications are unavoidable. However, some examples we have come across in relation to negligence include:
- Failure to provide medication in the first instance and performing unnecessary surgery
- Failing to consent a patient fully, including outlining conservative measures as well as surgery.
- Delay in treating, or incorrect treatment of hypertension
- Negligent performance of heart surgery
- Misdiagnosis and delay in treatment of heart attack.
- Failing to monitor and manage a chronic condition which has led to an acute event, such as heart failure.
- Failing to diagnose and treat endocarditis (infection in the heart)
- Failure to correctly interpret investigation results (such as from an angiogram)
Complications that can arise in cardiac surgery include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Blood clotting
- Injury to heart valves or blood vessels
- General Infection of a wound site
- Stroke
- Severing of the aortic valve
- Endocarditis (infection of the heart)
- Neurological issues arising from a lack of blood supply
- Converting laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery to laparotomy (open) surgery.
All complications can have long-term effects and we understand how devastating these can be. We are here to help you through the compensation claim journey at every step.
Our Team has a wealth of experience in dealing with claims of negligence of this type. To get an assessment from one of our legal experts and better understand your options, get in touch with our team today.
