Legal Guidance From A Failure To Diagnose Aortic Dissection Attorneys In Michigan
Aortic dissection is a life-threatening emergency that needs fast diagnosis and treatment. When an emergency room doctor dismisses severe chest or back pain without ruling out dangerous conditions, the results can be fatal. Families often wonder if they missed the warning signs.
At McKeen & Associates, PC, our aortic dissection attorneys represent Michigan families harmed by a doctor’s failure to diagnose aortic dissection. Our firm has focused only on medical malpractice cases for decades, allowing us to evaluate whether a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care.
Why Does Aortic Dissection Get Misdiagnosed?
An aortic dissection often causes sudden, severe chest or upper back pain that many people describe as a tearing or ripping feeling. These symptoms can look similar to other medical problems, leading to the wrong diagnosis if doctors do not perform the right tests.
A patient may first be treated for:
- A heart attack
- Heartburn, acid reflux or another stomach problem
- A pulled muscle or another muscle or joint injury
One of the most dangerous medication mistakes happens when a doctor assumes the patient is having a heart attack and gives blood-thinning medicine before checking the aorta. Medicines such as heparin or clot-busting drugs can make internal bleeding much worse if the patient actually has an aortic dissection.
Why Is A CT Angiogram So Important?
A normal EKG or chest X-ray cannot rule out an aortic dissection. A CT angiogram (CTA) is one of the main tests doctors use to find or rule out this condition.
If a patient has severe chest pain but testing does not show a heart attack, doctors should continue looking for other life-threatening causes before sending the patient home. Failing to order the right imaging may fall below the accepted standard of care.
Which Risk Factors Should Have Prompted More Testing?
Some medical conditions should alert doctors that a patient has a higher risk of an aortic dissection, including:
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Marfan syndrome or another connective tissue disorder
- A bicuspid aortic valve or another known problem with the aorta
When these risk factors are present along with sudden, severe chest or back pain, doctors may need to order a CT angiogram before sending the patient home. Missing these warning signs can delay life-saving treatment.
How Can Delayed Diagnosis Lead To Fatal Outcomes?
Type A aortic dissections usually require emergency surgery. Doctors can often treat many Type B dissections with medication or a stent. Finding the condition early gives patients a chance to receive treatment before the aorta ruptures or other serious complications develop.
For an untreated Type A aortic dissection, the risk of death may increase by about 1% to 2% with each passing hour. Sending a patient home without ruling out an aortic dissection can delay treatment and may lead to a preventable death.
Speak With A Michigan Failure To Diagnose Aortic Dissection Attorney Today
A failure to diagnose aortic dissection lawyer at McKeen & Associates, PC, can review the medical records, explain your legal options and determine whether the care provided met the accepted standard. Contact our Detroit office at 313-524-8570 today or visit our contact page to schedule a confidential consultation.