Coronary Bypass Surgery: Errors, Malpractice and Lawsuits

Coronary bypass surgery, also known as "bypass surgery" or coronary bypass graft surgery, is a surgical procedure.  This surgery is typically performed in order to relieve angina and lower the risk of death caused by coronary artery disease.  In coronary artery bypass surgery, arteries or veins are taken from another location in a patient’s body and subsequently placed, or “grafted,” to the coronary arteries in order to bypass the atherosclerotic narrowing in the veins.  This improves the blood supply to the heart.

How Coronary Bypass Surgery Is Done

First, a cardiac surgeon will make an incision in the center of the chest through the breastbone. Thereafter, the heart will be cooled with ice water and an injection will be given into the heart.  The purpose of this is to reduce damage caused by the reduction of the blood flow during the surgery.  Then, a cardiopulmonary bypass will be established prior to the bypass surgery.  Consequently, plastic tubes will be placed into the right atrium of the heart in order 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. Thereafter, the main aorta of the heart will get 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.  Recovery from the surgery is approximately 4 to 6 weeks.  In addition, 12 weeks of rehabilitation is typically required.

Potential for Surgical Errors

There are various risks affiliated with coronary bypass 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, which include diabetes and lung disease.

Negligent Medical Care and Patient Injury

Liability for medical malpractice committed during coronary bypass surgery may arise in a variety of ways.  To begin, equipment failure during coronary bypass surgery may cause injuries to a patient.  For instance, a heart and lung bypass machine may malfunction or be used improperly; as a result, the patient could incur a significant injury.  Furthermore, physician error or deviation from the accepted medical practice could lead to a malpractice case. Moreover, medically unnecessary heart surgery can result in a lawsuit based upon medical malpractice.  Finally, if a patient develops an infection or injury which during a hospital stay, this could result in a malpractice case.

Medical Negligence and Malpractice Claims

If one has been injured due to medical negligence or malpractice based upon a coronary bypass, one may seek to file a malpractice lawsuit. Damages can be based upon the following:

• physical suffering
• emotional pain and suffering
• loss of enjoyment of life
• medical expenses
• wrongful death
• funeral expenses
• future lost earnings

Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

If one believes that he or she has been subject to medical malpractice arising from a coronary bypass, one may seek to retain an experienced medical malpractice attorney. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can evaluate one’s case in order to determine the most appropriate course of action.  Furthermore, a seasoned attorney can handle defense attorneys representing physicians and insurance companies; consequently, an experienced attorney will be able to protect one’s interests and obtain the best possible outcome for the client.

Talk to a Medical Malpractice Lawyer if you or someone you know has been injured or killed by negligent medical care. A malpractice claim can help families get compensation for the wrong done to them.