When the Wrongful Death or Permanent Injury is Caused by the Delay in Diagnosis of a Myocardial Infarction, Call Our Law Firm
There are many reasons that a person may go to see a doctor in a doctor’s office or emergency room. Some reasons may be mild, such as for a cold while others can be much more serious. When a person comes in with a serious medical condition that is not diagnosed or treated in a timely manner, it can lead to permanent injury or even death. One example of this is a delay in diagnosis of a myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarctions, also known as heart attacks are considered to be medical emergencies and must be treated in a timely manner. When a physician or other healthcare provider fails to diagnose or treat a patient suffering from a myocardial infarction and the patient suffers serious injury or death, it can be considered negligence.
If you or a loved one suffered serious persona injuries due to a delay in diagnosis of a myocardial infarction leading to death in Oregon, call our experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Bend, OR for help. We can help you and your family recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages due to the misconduct, negligent, and malpractice of a healthcare provider, hospital, nurse, or other professional. Learn how we can help you during a FREE consultation.
Why is a Myocardial Infarction Considered to be a Medical Emergency?
Myocardial infarctions are quite dangerous. There are many reasons as to why a myocardial infarction may occur, such as plaque buildup. Heart attacks occur when there is a blockage of blood flow going to the heart. When this happens, oxygenated blood is not able to reach the heart or flow through, leading to death of the heart muscle. This can lead to death or serious cardiac damage.
What is the Typical Workup of a Patient With Heart Attack Symptoms?
When a patient comes in reporting symptoms that could be indicative of a heart attack, it should be taken very seriously. The typical work up for patients experiencing heart attack symptoms include the following:
- EKG – this involves electrodes being placed on the chest which monitors the rhythm of the heart
- Cardiac enzyme testing – This is done with a simple blood test. A change in certain levels or the presence of something in the blood can indicate that you may have experienced a heart attack (i.e. troponin T)
- Coronary catheterization – This can allow testing to see if there is adequate blood flow to the heart
- Cardiac CT/MRI – A cardiac CT/MRI may be able to tell if there has been tissue damage from a heart attack
What are the Signs and Symptoms Medical Providers Should Recognize as Being Signs or Symptoms of a Heart Attack?
There are many signs or symptoms that a patient may exhibit or report which should trigger a medical provider to work the patient up immediately for a myocardial infarction. Common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include the following:
- Chest pain
- Profuse sweating
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Chest pressure
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Shoulder pain
- Jaw pain
Treatment for Heart Attack
Timely diagnosis and treatment for patients suffering from a heart attack is vital. There are a few different treatments that may be used, but time is of the essence. Common treatments for patients diagnosed with heart attacks include the following:
- Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) – This is used to dissolve any blood clots that may be causing a blockage. This drug can restart blood flow to the heart
- Surgery – There are different types of surgery that may be performed to treat the blockage that is causing a heart attack
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) – This procedure is minimally invasive and involves unclogging any arteries that may be clogged, allowing resumption of blood flow to the heart.
How Can a Delay in Diagnosis or Treatment of a Myocardial Infarction be Caused by Medical Malpractice?
There are many ways in which a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a myocardial infarction may be caused by medical malpractice. Medical malpractice refers to any deviation from the standard of care that results in patient harm. Common causes of medical malpractice in relation to the diagnosis or treatment of a myocardial infarction include the following:
- Failure to evaluate the patient in a timely manner
- Failure to appropriately assess a patient complaining of heart attack symptoms
- Failure to recognize that a patient is suffering from symptoms that could be due to a heart attack, leading to patient harm
- Discharging a patient suffering from a heart attack home from the doctor’s office or emergency room after suffering from a heart attack without proper intervention
- Misdiagnosing a patient suffering from a myocardial infarction with something less ominous, leading to a delay in treatment or even death
- Failing to order appropriate testing to diagnose a patient suffering from a myocardial infarction
- Misinterpretation of testing conducted to diagnose a heart attack
- Delay in administration of treatment for a patient suffering from a heart attack
- Inappropriate monitoring of a patient diagnosed with or suspected of having a heart attack
- Dismissal of patient’s complaints or concerns, leading to a delay in diagnosis or treatment of an individual suffering from a heart attack
- Failing to appropriately triage a patient suspected of or confirmed of having a heart attack, leading to a delay in diagnosis or treatment
Call Our Law Firm if a Delay in Diagnosis of a Myocardial Infarction Caused Personal Injuries to You or a Loved One in Oregon
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
