When Doctors Fail To Use Appropriate Cardioplegia During Open Heart Surgery

What Is Cardioplegia?

Cardioplegia (Greek for "heart paralysis") is a solution that's injected into the arteries that supply the heart. This solution, typically containing high levels of potassium, stops the heart and keeps it in a relaxed state, allowing surgeons to perform open-heart surgery in a motionless, bloodless field.

There are several different types of cardioplegia, and they're all prepared and administered differently. Some are injected cold, as a lower temperature can help to further reduce the heart's oxygen requirements, and others are injected warm. Some types require frequent redosing, while others have a longer duration of action and can be administered only once. Surgeons choose an appropriate cardioplegia agent based on the type of procedure being done, the patient's pre-existing conditions, and personal preference.

How Can Cardioplegia Go Wrong?

When the cardioplegic solution used to stop and protect the heart during surgery doesn't adequately reach all parts of the heart, serious complications can result. Inadequate cardioplegic protection can occur for various reasons, including improper preparation of the cardioplegic solution, poor administration technique, failure to re-dose if using a short-acting form, and patient health conditions, such as severe coronary artery disease, which can block the cardioplegia from reaching all parts of the heart.

Improper cardioplegia can lead to myriad complications, any one of which has the potential to be fatal, including:

• ischemia and reperfusion injury – if the heart isn't getting adequate blood flow, it becomes starved of oxygen (ischemia), and when blood flow suddenly returns, it can cause damage to the heart muscle
• electrolyte imbalances – improperly prepared cardioplegia solution may have the wrong concentrations of electrolytes like potassium, calcium, and sodium, which can cause cell death. In addition, even properly prepared cardioplegia can cause electrolyte imbalances, which can cause severe damage if the patient isn't closely monitored
• complications from cooling – when hypothermia is deliberately induced in and around the heart, it can help to protect muscle cells from ischemia, but being cooled or warmed incorrectly can cause issues with blood clotting and arrhythmias
• cardioplegia toxicity – prolonged exposure to some cardioplegia solutions can harm heart cells, so surgeons should always be careful to choose the agent that's most appropriate for the expected duration of the procedure being done
• infection risk – multiple IV lines and access points can increase the risk of infection, particularly if healthcare providers use poor administration techniques
• accidental injection into the bloodstream – when cardioplegia is accidentally injected into the body, it becomes a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention

Some of these complications are possible even when healthcare providers do everything right, but the risk of serious complications occurring becomes even greater when surgeons fail to follow proper standards of care, including monitoring for potential complications so that corrections can be made before a minor error becomes a catastrophic event or wrongful death.

What Can I Do If I Think I Or A Loved One Suffered A Cardioplegia Error?

Medical professionals are expected to provide their patients with a standard of care in line with currently accepted medical practices. If a medical provider deviates from this standard, such as by improperly administering cardioplegia, and a patient is harmed as a result, a case can be made for medical malpractice.

To prove that harm was caused when a provider deviated from the commonly accepted standard of care, a second opinion is typically required. A lawyer who specializes in medical malpractice can help you with this. If it can be proven that a doctor's negligence resulted in your catastrophic injury or a loved one's death, you could be entitled to compensation to cover things like lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

Why Choose Ross Feller Casey For Your Medical Malpractice Case?

At Ross Feller Casey, our experienced medical malpractice attorneys have a proven track record of winning complex surgical error cases, including those involving cardioplegia. We have an on-staff team of leading Ivy League-trained doctors to investigate the circumstances surrounding the surgery, review medical records, and help determine if negligence occurred.

If you suspect that improper cardioplegia contributed to a loved one's injury or death, don't delay. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, which means you don't pay a dime unless you win your case. Your rights matter. Let us help you fight for the justice that you and your family deserve.