Coronary artery bypass graft surgery, also known as “bypass surgery” or “heart bypass,” is a surgical procedure which is done to relieve angina and reduce the chance of death due to coronary artery disease. In coronary artery bypass graft surgery, arteries and/or veins are taken from a patient’s body and grafted to the coronary artiest to bypass the atherosclerotic narrowing in the veins and improve the blood supply to the heart.
How Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Is Done
Initially, a cardiac surgeon makes an incision in the center of the chest through the breastbone. Next, the heart is cooled down with iced water and an injection is given into the heart. This is done to reduce the damage caused by the reduction of the blood flow during the surgery. Thereafter, a cardiopulmonary bypass is established before bypass surgery can occur. Therefore, plastic tubes are inserted in the right atrium of the heart to direct venous blood out of the body into a membrane oxygenator in the heart lung machine. The oxygenated blood is then put back into the body. Then, the main aorta of the heart gets clamped off during the coronary artery bypass graft surgery in order to keep a bloodless area and to allow grafted bypasses to be connected to the aorta. The recovery for the surgery is 4-6 weeks and then approximately 12 weeks of rehabilitation.
Possible Risks
There are various risks affiliated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery. These risks include the following:
- bleeding
- heart attack
- chest infection
- lung complications
- kidney failure
- organ failure
- stroke
- death
Mortality and risk of complications increase with individuals who are over the age of seventy or have underlying health conditions such as diabetes or chronic lung disease.
Opportunity for Negligence and Injury
Liability for medical malpractice committed during coronary artery bypass graft surgery may arise in various ways. Initially, equipment failure during the surgery could cause injuries giving rise to a malpractice case. For example, in heart surgery, sometimes a heart and lung bypass machine is utilized. If the machine does not work or is misused, the patient could suffer severe injury or death. Moreover, physician error or deviation from the accepted medical practice could result in an injury. Additionally, the performance of medically unnecessary heart surgery could result in medical malpractice. Finally, infection or injury which arises during one’s stay at the hospital could result in a malpractice case.
Medical Negligence and Malpractice Suits
If one has been injured due to medical negligence or malpractice based upon a coronary artery bypass graft, one may seek to file a malpractice lawsuit. Damages may include the following:
- physical suffering
- emotional pain and suffering
- loss of enjoyment of life
- medical expenses
- wrongful death
- funeral expenses
- future lost earnings
Getting Legal Help
If anyone believes that he or she has been subject to medical malpractice arising from a coronary artery bypass graft, one should consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. An experienced attorney can evaluate one’s case in order to determine the most appropriate course of action. In addition, a skilled attorney will be able to handle defense attorneys who represent physicians and insurance companies in order to protect one’s interests and obtain the best possible outcome.
