Brain Injury Due to Heart Surgery
Heart surgery may resolve the issues around the heart but leave the patient with short or long-term brain damage.
The complexities of heart surgery, such as a bypass operation, are such that it risks causing short or long-term brain injuries to the patient.
Such injury is likely to fall into one of three categories:
- A stroke and the associated cognitive and physical problems
- Damage to the brain
- Cognitive impairment such as memory dysfunction or poor concentration
Causes of brain disorders
These problems may be due to a reduction in the supply of oxygen (hypoxia) to the tissue of the brain.
However, the underlying reasons for these possible outcomes are not entirely clear.
Emboli
The most likely culprit causing a reduction in blood supply to the brain is the development of emboli which travel to the brain and block the passage of necessary oxygen. An embolus is a form of alien matter inside a blood vessel which reduces the flow of blood to the tissue and organs by causing a blockage. During heart surgery, an embolus may be a bubble of gas or small particles of matter from blood vessels around the heart which have moved during the procedure.
Blood Supply In Surgery
Problems can also arise due to the use of an artificial pump (a cardiopulmonary bypass pump) used during the course of heart surgery to maintain the functions of the heart during the operation which may lead to an inadequate supply of blood, and hence oxygen, to the brain.
There is some suggestion that the use of a heart-lung bypass pump increases the chances of the patient suffering from brain injury due to decreased oxygen supply.
Blood Vessel Damage
Damage to the aorta during surgery or a thickening of the wall of the aorta may also reduce the flow of blood to the brain.
Brain injuries during heart surgery are not necessarily due to incompetence or negligence on the part of the medical practitioner. Heart surgery is a major and dangerous operation with associated known risks and some patients may already have a predisposition to low blood pressure or a stroke.
Medical Negligence
If, however, you or a loved one are suffering the effects of brain damage due to medical negligence during heart surgery, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation for your pain and suffering.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, a specialist medical negligence legal practice.
Call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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