Cardiology AdvisorAppeals Court Orders New Trial for Cardiologists in Stress-Test Death Case

Appeals court overturned jury verdict for two cardiologists in stress-test death, ordering new trial after finding trial judge made three prejudicial errors. Patient died day after stress test caused 17-minute destabilization; cardiologist sent her home rather than to emergency department despite high-risk profile and abnormal results requiring two doses of nitroglycerin.

⚖️ PROFESSIONAL IMPACT

• Defense expert used primary care records defendants never had access to, creating impossible standard where physicians judged on unavailable information during actual patient encounter and assessment decisions.
• Jury not instructed to ignore referring physician’s conduct, allowing blame-shifting to non-party PCP who ordered test rather than focusing solely on defendants’ actions after patient destabilization.
• Plaintiff barred from cross-examining defense expert on relevant study, preventing challenge to medical testimony that patient was “stable” despite shortness of breath at 2 minutes and requiring 17-minute recovery time.
• High-risk stress test causing destabilization requires ED referral per plaintiff’s expert, establishing that “returned to baseline” vitals insufficient justification for discharge after prolonged recovery period.
• Case highlights liability exposure when facilities lack access to complete medical records but proceed with high-risk procedures based solely on patient-reported history and limited clinical assessment.

🎯 ACTION ITEMS

• Document all information sources consulted and explicitly note any records unavailable during patient assessment and care decisions.
• Establish written protocols for ED referral criteria following stress test complications, particularly for high-risk patients with prolonged destabilization periods.
• Train staff on distinction between “returned to baseline vitals” and “medically stable for discharge” after stress test abnormalities.
• Review current informed consent processes to ensure patients understand stress test risks when complete medical history unavailable to testing facility.

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