arterial damage
Many of these claims relate to surgery and
trauma.
Damage to major blood vessels can have
devastating effects, and can lead to complications such as strokes,
ischaemic damage to tissues or amputations. Often these cases
are seen in the context of surgery, interventional radiology or
trauma.
Examples of our experiences would include
cases where:
- trauma is caused to an artery during orthopaedic surgery
- inappropriate or technically inadequate vascular surgery is
undertaken
- trauma is caused to an artery during cannulation for
radiological procedures, which may be either diagnostic or
therapeutic procedures
- angioplasty of an artery is inappropriately carried out
- the walls of an artery are damaged during other procedures
creating a false aneurysm which presses on the artery blocking the
blood supply
- in severe cases the whole blood supply can be cut off to a limb
or part of a limb. If intervention is not undertaken within
the appropriate time then this can lead to progressively worsening
ischaemic damage and ultimately loss of viability of the limb and
amputation
With these cases it is important that the
treating surgeon or doctor recognises either that arterial damage
has been caused, or the extent of the damage at the time. If
appropriate measures are then not taken urgently to restore the
circulation the consequences become increasingly severe.
Initially structures such as the smaller nerves can then be
damaged. Later the muscles start to die and without treatment
gangrene will occur and amputation becomes the only option.
These are often devastating injuries. They have severe
effects on our clients’ lives. Compensation can be obtained
for the pain and suffering associated with the injuries themselves,
care support, therapies, further medical treatment, personal
mobility, appropriate accommodation and to compensate for loss of
earnings.
For further information please contact Alison McClure in the
Clinical Negligence team on 023 8085 7345 or email alison.mcclure@bllaw.co.uk.
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