32-year-old Female Injured From Through-and-Through Puncture of the Right Subclavian Artery During Elective Procedure

Type of Injury: Medical Malpractice

Type of Case: Settlement

Settlement Amount: $675,000

On August 25, 2017, F-32 underwent elective intravascular ultrasonography of her iliac veins for left lower extremity pain for suspected May-Thurner syndrome. The procedure was performed by a board-certified interventional cardiologist (“IC”) at Silver Cross Hospital (New Lennox, IL). In order to perform the procedure, the physical punctured the right internal jugular vein (“IJV”) under "ultrasound guidance” and the second puncture under, apparently, “fluoroscopic guidance”.

The procedure was complicated by abrupt onset of clinical decompensation requiring emergent intubation and mechanical ventilation. It was initially thought that she had a contrast allergy, it was determined that there was hemorrhage within her chest. F-32 was transferred to Presence Saint Joseph Medial Center (Joliet, IL) for emergency surgical intervention.

F-32 underwent median sternotomy, mediastinal exploration, evacuation of right hemothorax, right neck exploration, repair of the right IJV, and repair of the right subclavian artery (“SCA”). During the course of the procedure, it was determined that her likely cause of decompensation was injury to the right SCA, probably due to trauma from the sheath insertion itself. This resulted in a large hemithorax as well as pneumopericardium. The defendant-IC testified that he believed the "second puncture” for access into the right IJV resulted in the through-and-through puncture of the right SCA.

The above summary is specific to a particular case and is not intended as a projected outcome on any other matter.