Stenting Follow-Up; Mortality, Stents, And Physicians–A Correlation?

A new study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found shocking and significant data relating to the mortality rate of a neck stenting procedure. As it is, this procedure is controversial. But now, there is a clear predictor to death. In fact, one group had a 1.4-percent change of dying within thirty days after the procedure, while the other group was as high as 2.4-percent. While that does not sound like a large percentage increase, over the 25,000 procedures recorded—and many more done in the United States—that is a large amount of people who die in the second group as opposed to the first group. But what is the difference in the two groups?

The physician! Of course there is some correlation with the physician performing the operation. But it actually has nothing to do with medical school or training, but actually an even similar correlation; the number of times this year the physician had done the procedure. For physicians performing at least twenty-four of these neck stents per year had the lowest mortality rate, while physicians doing six or less a year had the higher mortality rate. Moral of the story—go to the doctor with the most procedures performed per year!

But what is a neck stent anyway? It is actually called carotid stenting. A doctor will clean out the cholesterol buildups in the major carotid arteries in the neck which supply the brain with oxygen-rich blood. These buildups are known to be a major cause of strokes, but a misstep in cleaning could produce a stroke immediately. That is because as the operating physician cleans the buildup and adds the stent—a small metal mesh tube to prop the vessel open—if part of a cholesterol deposit breaks off it could go right into the blood stream and into the smaller vessels closer to the brain. This will result in a much more dangerous buildup that, if it blocks that vessel, will cause a stroke. Generally, the danger period after this procedure is within thirty days after the operation.

Obviously, this could lead to medical malpractice liability. And if you know of someone about to receive a stent—whether or not it is in the neck—PLEASE make sure to check the doctor’s “patient load.” See how many procedures he or she is performing, particularly the procedure you are having. The more of them a year, statistically the better off you will be.

But if you know someone who has please make sure to give me a call! Liability to bring a medical malpractice lawsuit might be as short as two and a half years! The clock is ticking and please make sure to exercise your full rights affordable to you. I welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com . You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.