When Is A Coronary Stent Implant Error Malpractice?

Coronary stents are a common surgical treatment for coronary heart disease patients. They work to keep arteries open so blood flows consistently to the heart. For many patients with heart disease, coronary stent implantation is lifesaving. It helps with angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart) and reduces the risk of heart attack.

Coronary stent implant surgery is a common procedure that typically has positive outcomes. However, that doesn’t mean that it is a low-risk procedure. There are always risks with any kind of surgery, ranging from minor to life-threatening. What’s worse is when a bad outcome could have been prevented. In some cases, the surgery may not even be necessary. In others, doctors or other medical professionals may perform coronary stent implant surgery negligently, resulting in the injury or death of the patient. Those are cases of medical malpractice, and they may entitle the patient (or their family, in wrongful death cases) to compensation.

How Does A Coronary Stent Work?

Coronary stents help keep arteries open. They are tube-shaped metal mesh devices that clear a path to ensure that blood can sufficiently flow to the heart in people with coronary heart disease. These implants are used in most percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or angioplasty procedures.

During angioplasty surgery, a doctor implants the stent surgically. First, a catheter is inserted into the blocked artery. The surgeon may use fluoroscopy to locate the blockage and place the stent properly. Then, a balloon on the end of the inserted catheter inflates, widening the area for the mesh stent. The stent helps maintain a clear blood flow path to the heart.

Following the procedure, the patient typically remains in the hospital for several hours in recovery. Medical staff will monitor their vital signs and identify any potential complications. Patients may be required to spend the night in the hospital for observation but are released the following day.

What Are The Risks Of Coronary Stent Implant Surgery?

There is a risk of complications with angioplasty and coronary stent implant surgery. Some of the possible complications include:

• Anesthesia problems
• Contrast dye anaphylaxis
• Chest pain
• Excessive bleeding where the catheter is inserted
• Blood clots
• Coronary artery rupture or closure
• Infection at the catheter site
• Kidney damage
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Death

When Is Medical Malpractice To Blame? 

Medical malpractice occurs when a surgeon, doctor, nurse, or other medical professional violates the accepted standard of care, and the patient suffers injuries as a result. The only way to be sure that a complication of coronary stent implantation is medical malpractice and not just a bad outcome is to consult with a qualified, experienced medical malpractice attorney.

A malpractice attorney will investigate the case, enlist the assistance of physicians and other medical experts to review medical records, identify where the negligence or mistakes were made, and determine if the injured person has a valid medical malpractice claim. They will then decide how best to proceed with the lawsuit.

Pennsylvania Attorneys At Ross Feller Casey Can Help

Ross Feller Casey is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm known for its record-setting wins in all types of medical malpractice lawsuits, including those related to coronary stent implant negligence or errors. At Ross Feller Casey, we are uniquely positioned to handle medical malpractice cases because we have a team of leading medical doctors on our staff who understand cardiac procedures and how negligence can cause injuries in those cases.

If you or your loved one has been injured due to errors made during a coronary stent implant procedure, our legal team will fight for you to receive the compensation your family deserves. Let us help you help your family ease the financial burden your injuries have caused.

There is no obligation on your part. We don’t charge a dime until we make a financial recovery in your case. Contact our office today to schedule your free case consultation.