Delayed Diagnosis of Bacterial Endocarditis Leaves Patient with Severe Debilitating Stroke Symptoms
Barbara had been feeling unwell for some time and had been attending her GP with a range of symptoms. These included headaches, fatigue, dizziness, heart flutters and cramps in her arms and hands.
An ECG had appeared normal and she was referred for an MRI scan.
Before this could take place, however, she rang NHS 111 complaining of left-sided numbness and headaches and, following a GP review, was taken to hospital.
A CT scan of Barbara’s head suggested the possibility of a recent subacute infarction or tissue damage. It was decided that she should undergo an MRI scan as an outpatient rather than being admitted immediately for further investigation.
The MRI scan took place a week later and was reported a few days after with no recommendations made and no identification of the findings of the earlier CT scan.
Barbara’s symptoms continued to worsen and she visited her GP who made a referral to neurology and started her on a course of antibiotics.
Unfortunately, a few days later a further deterioration in her condition took Barbara to Accident and Emergency unable to communicate and suffering with right side mouth droop. She was referred to the Acute Stroke team. A CT scan suggested the possibility of encephalitis but a subsequent MRI scan showed multiple embolic acute infarctions. Barbara had suffered a stroke which was thought might be due to bacterial endocarditis – an infection of the lining of the heart.
It was initially thought that cardiac surgery was not necessary and she was started on intravenous antibiotics but a further deterioration led to a transfer to another hospital where she underwent a mitral valve replacement.
The question Glynns was faced with when Barbara and her husband approached for advice was whether Barbara’s endocarditis could have been diagnosed and treated earlier, thereby avoiding the stroke which has left her with life-changing disabilities.
The medical experts which we consulted were critical of Barbara’s medical care when, not only was her initial MRI scan delayed by being an outpatient appointment but the report then failed to identify the right cerebral abnormality which should have triggered an urgent communication to the referring clinician.
It was felt that, had a cardiologist been asked to review Barbara at that point, an earlier finding of endocarditis would probably have been made and her stroke would probably have been avoided.
Barbara has been left with significant and debilitating challenges. She experiences weakness on her right side meaning that mobility is limited and unsteady. It is likely that this will worsen and that she will need more support over time. She suffers with poor short-term memory and difficulty with speech and finding the right words. As a result, she is now unable to work.
In recognition of the problems which she now faces and the financial impact which the negligent medical care has had on her life, Barbara was awarded in excess of £1M in compensation.
(Details which might identify our client have been changed.)
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