Elective colon surgery preceded by alleged cardiology-clearance failure at Gwinnett
This complaint states as follows: The patient, a 64-year-old man, died in July 2019 after suffering complications from an elective colon surgery performed in June 2019. Before the surgery, the patient’s cardiologist, Dr. Lance Friedland, misinformed the patient about his heart health. The patient had undergone CT Calcium imaging that showed a major blockage in one of the patient’s coronary arteries. Dr. Friedland had told the patient the CT score showed no cause for concern. So before the colon surgery, the patient did not inform the colon surgeon of his heart condition. After the colon surgery, The patient suffered a heart attack caused by “demand ischemia.” In essence, the surgery increased the demand on the patient’s heart, and the arterial blockage prevented the heart muscle from getting enough blood (and oxygen). The patient underwent cardiac surgery, but the damage was irreversible. The patient died in the hospital.
Overview
This page concerns an elective colon surgery case in which the patient allegedly was misinformed about a major coronary blockage seen on CT calcium imaging, did not inform the colon surgeon of the heart condition, then suffered demand ischemia, required cardiac surgery, and died in the hospital.
Chronology
- The patient underwent CT Calcium imaging that showed a major blockage in one of his coronary arteries.
- Cardiologist Dr. Lance Friedland told the patient the CT score showed no cause for concern.
- Before elective colon surgery in June 2019, the patient therefore did not inform the colon surgeon of his heart condition.
- After surgery, The patient suffered a heart attack caused by demand ischemia, underwent cardiac surgery, and died in the hospital in July 2019 after the damage proved irreversible.
Alleged failures
- Dr. Lance Friedland allegedly misinformed the patient about a major coronary blockage seen on CT Calcium imaging.
- Because the heart condition was not understood or communicated before surgery, the elective colon surgery allegedly proceeded without adequate cardiology clearance.
- The resulting demand ischemia, heart attack, cardiac surgery, and death are alleged to trace back to the cardiology misinformation before surgery.
Entities and tags
Questions this example answers
What does the Gwinnett cardiology-clearance failure allege?
This complaint states as follows: The patient, a 64-year-old man, died in July 2019 after suffering complications from an elective colon surgery performed in June 2019. Before the surgery, the patient’s cardiologist, Dr. Lance Friedland, misinformed the patient about his heart health. The patient had undergone CT Calcium imaging that showed a major blockage in one of the patient’s coronary arteries. Dr. Friedland had told the patient the CT score showed no cause for concern. So before the colon surgery, the patient did not inform the colon surgeon of his heart condition. After the colon surgery, The patient suffered a heart attack caused by “demand ischemia.” In essence, the surgery increased the demand on the patient’s heart, and the arterial blockage prevented the heart muscle from getting enough blood (and oxygen). The patient underwent cardiac surgery, but the damage was irreversible. The patient died in the hospital.
Who is identified in this public case example?
This public case example identifies Gwinnett Hospital System, Inc., Dr. Lance Friedland, and Colon surgeon. It also tags the source-supported entities Gwinnett Hospital System, Inc., Dr. Lance Friedland, CT Calcium imaging, Coronary arteries, and Colon surgery.
What alleged failures are summarized here?
Dr. Lance Friedland allegedly misinformed the patient about a major coronary blockage seen on CT Calcium imaging. Because the heart condition was not understood or communicated before surgery, the elective colon surgery allegedly proceeded without adequate cardiology clearance. The resulting demand ischemia, heart attack, cardiac surgery, and death are alleged to trace back to the cardiology misinformation before surgery.