Missed Diagnosis of Lymphocytic Myocarditis Leads to an Untimely Death

ByMichael Talve, CEO

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Updated onJune 30, 2017

Missed Diagnosis of Lymphocytic Myocarditis Leads to an Untimely Death

This case involves a patient who presented to her PCP with complaints of shortness of breath and asthma-like symptoms. The PCP treated the patient with antibiotics, asthma medications, and sent the patient home. The very next day the patient returned with the same symptoms but the condition was increasing in severity. The physician tried treating the asthma symptoms in his office for several hours until he finally sent her to the ER. The patient was admitted to the emergency room at which point the condition deteriorated and necessitated a transfer to a children’s hospital. The patient died while in transport and the autopsy revealed the cause of death to be Lymphocytic Myocarditis.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Was it reasonable for the PCP to attempt to treat the patient in his office?

Expert Witness Response E-000796

inline imageIt is possible that this started out as a viral respiratory infection, but the doctor should have realized that if the patient wasn't improving with asthma treatment he should have sent her to the ER sooner. Myocarditis is sometimes fatal, but can be treated if recognized early enough. In general, if a patient requires 2-3 hours of treatment for "asthma" they are too sick to be in an office setting and require immediate transfer to a hospital. It's absolutely possible that the 2-3 hours could have made a difference.

About the author

Michael Talve, CEO

Michael Talve, CEO

Michael Talve stands at the forefront of legal innovation as the CEO and Managing Director of Expert Institute. Under his leadership, the Expert Institute has established itself as a vital player in the legal technology arena, revolutionizing how lawyers connect with world-class experts and access advanced legal technology. Michael's role involves not only steering the company's strategic direction but also ensuring the delivery of unparalleled intelligence and cutting-edge solutions to legal professionals. His work at Expert Institute has been instrumental in enhancing the capabilities of attorneys in case preparation and execution, making a significant impact on the legal industry's approach to expert consultation and technological integration. Michael's vision and execution have positioned the Expert Institute as a key facilitator in the intersection of law and technology.

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