Coronary Stent Causes Fatal Complications

Case Overview

This case takes place in Georgia and involves a patient who suffered a devastating ischemic stroke shortly after a cardiac stent repair. A stent was placed in the patient after aortic stenosis was found. Subsequently, the stent fractured and a piece lodged in on of the patient’s extremities. It was recommended that additional stents be placed inside the fractured stent to hold it in place. The procedure was completed, at which point records indicate that the patient was slow to emerge. A neurology note taken some time after the procedure indicates that a doctor noted right side weakness in the patient. A CT scan revealed signs of a stroke and an aortic arch aneurysm. The next day, the patient was discharged to another medical center after further scans demonstrated evolution of the stroke. The patient was eventually killed by her stroke.

Questions to the Pediatrics expert and their responses

Do you routinely treat patients like the one described in this case?

I am a board certified pediatric cardiologist who is specifically trained in invasive/interventional cardiology. I have performed 1500+ procedures on infants/children and adults with congenital heart disease and I have worked at large-volume medical centers for the duration of my career. I commonly treat patients presenting similar complications and I personally perform interventions on children and adolescents with this type of heart disease.

Based on the summary, is it possible that this patient might have had a better outcome had the care rendered been different?

My opinion is that it is certainly possible that the patient could have had a better outcome had different care been rendered. However, that opinion is based upon very little data. I would need to review the catheterization, nursing, and anesthesia records.

About the expert

This highly qualified expert is double boarded in General Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology. He has been an elected Fellow 3 times with the American College of Cardiology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. He has received numerous awards for his work as a researcher, teacher, and clinician, and he has traveled nationally and internationally to present his work at numerous professional conferences. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at a top-ranking University.

E-015592

Specialties:

Pediatrics