Patient Dies Following Cardiac Ablation and Emergency Cholecystectomy

Case Overview

This case takes place in Kansas and involves an elderly female patient with a past medical history of obesity and Atrial Fibrillation. The patient had been prescribed Coumadin. She required a cardiac ablation. During the procedure the treating surgeons recognized that the patient required an emergent cholycystectomy – which had to be converted to open technique, due to complications intraoperatively. Post-operatively, physicians had a difficult time controlling the patient’s PTT. The patient was given a large dose of Heparin several days after the surgery. She later coded and died due to hemorrhaging.

Questions to the Cardiology expert and their responses

How often do you perform cardiac ablation?

Every week I perform 1-4 ablations. I direct the Atrial Fibrillation program at my hospital and I am considered a national expert, based on publications, around quality of care of AF and AF ablation.

What are the guidelines for pre and post-operative anticoagulant therapy?

The pre and post-operative anticoagulation guidelines are very clear, and I am very familiar with them, having performed hundreds, if not thousands, of procedures.

Have you ever served as an expert witness on a case involving a patient who coded after receiving too much Heparin?

I have previously served as an expert witness in similar cases, but each case varies and there are numerous complex issues involved regarding causation and negligence in anticoagulation cases. I would be happy to review this case on behalf of the plaintiff.

About the expert

This extremely qualified Cardiac Electrophysiology expert received his medical education from some of the most highly regarded institutions in the country. He is triple board certified and fellowship trained in Cardiac Electrophysiology. He is a fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society and the American College of Cardiology as well as a member of several professional societies including the American Heart Association. This expert is highly active in the research community with his projects attracting millions of dollars in grants. He has published extensively on the treatment of Atrial Fibrillation and frequently lectures throughout the country as an authority on the subject. This expert has authored 11 book chapters.