Brown v Lewisham & North Southwark HA, ex p Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde HA

[1998] Lloyd's Rep Med 265

QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION

and Mr Justice MOORE-BICK

Professional liability — Cardiothoracic surgery — Haematology — Causation — Post-operative complications — Successful coronary artery bypass graft operation at Guy's Hospital — Harvesting of long saphenous vein from patient's left leg — Use of heparin in course of surgery — Development of antibodies — Further administration of heparin at Royal Victoria Hospital — Adverse reaction in form of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT) — Surgeon aware in rare cases heparin could cause low platelet counts but not aware of more serious reaction in which thrombocytopenia was associated with thrombosis — Surgeon considering patient's condition to be critical, calling for urgent anticoagulation treatment — Failure by haemotologist to examine medical records — Failures in communication — Amputation of patient's left leg