Bristol widow died during spine operation
A Bristol widow died from an extremely rare and undetected heart condition while she was having an operation on her spine.
Irene Squire died at the Spire Bristol Hospital in Redland last year during an operation for a compressed spine.
Mrs Squire, 75, from Downend, paid £10,000 for the private operation after developing pain in her shins, body and neck.
On July 1, she was taken to the hospital and was scheduled to have the operation at 1.30pm. But problems started just after she was given the anaesthetic.
Flax Bourton Coroners' Court heard that her heart rate suddenly dropped dramatically by almost half and fell into an abnormal rhythm. She had no pulse and went into cardiac arrest, and despite efforts to resuscitate her, she died on the operating table at 2.30pm.
A post-mortem examination found that Mrs Squire had amyloidosis, a condition in which proteins are deposited in the organs of the body.
The inquest heard in Mrs Squire's case the condition meant her blood vessels received a limited amount of blood, and that it caused them to become rigid so they couldn't respond in an emergency.
Pathologist Dr Hugh White told yesterday's hearing: "If she had not had amyloidosis resuscitation may have been successful, but because of it the blood vessels in her heart could not respond properly."
Anaesthetist Dr James Rogers told the inquest the condition was so rare he had only seen it twice before in 10 years, and Mrs Squire was the only person with amyloidosis he had anaesthetised in 20 years.
The court heard the condition was very difficult to diagnose, and it was usually discovered only after the patient had died.
Professor Philip Hawkins, from the National Amyloidosis Centre, said it was an extremely rare disease.
In a statement, he said: "I am not surprised amyloidosis had not been considered by doctors because of its great rarity."
Deputy coroner Brian Whitehouse returned a narrative verdict, saying the condition prevented Mrs Squire's body from fighting the stress put on it during the anaesthetic.
Speaking after the inquest, her family said: "Irene was a wonderful person who is greatly missed. We hope doctors will now consider amyloidosis as a possible cause when treating patients in the future."
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by Fran, USA
Thursday, December 24 2009, 2:02AM
“Just to give a little info on the disease amyloidosis. It takes 2 years to diagnose, and then only by sheer digging by the medical professionals.
My late husband was 37 when he began having burning sensations on his feet and legs.. no reason, no physcial sign, just the pain. This went on for 2 years, and dozens of medical doctors. quacks, or anyone else we could find who would try to help him. After the 2 years, I moved him to Florida, to Shands Medical in Gainesville, FL. Only after 2 weeks of test after test, did they diagnose amyloidosis. this was in 1985, after he began his suffering in 1983, Now, 24 years later, it still takes 2 years almost to reach a diagnosis. Simply because it is a silent disease attacking different parts of the body. DONOT blame the doctors, But do make the public aware of the symptoms, and then diagnosis will come sooner.
My husband died in 1987, because at that time only about 300 in the world had the disease.
It is a rare but becoming more prevalent as we consume more chemicals, exposed to more chemicals. and we cant do anything about it. Nuclear science will not stop, and the government will not let us change it . Nuclear power is not clean, there is always waste, do a search on Portsmouth gaseous diffusion in Piketon, Oh. or Oak ridge gaseous diffusion in Oak ridge tennessee.
I know for a fact in Piketon, at the time my husband worked for them, there were several pieces of heavy machinery buried after the buildings were complete because of the contamination.
go to any Nuclear site on the web, and search for exposures, leaks, (3 mile island). Amazing what you will find that our government has done to us. All in the name of research.”
by Antony, Bristol
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 11:54AM
“I would just like to add my comment that Auntie I (as she was known to many in the family), was warm and kind yet a really strong character. Your home-made Christmas Pudding will be missed again this year.
Antony (great Nephew)”
by Wendy-Jane, Long Ashton
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 11:46AM
“If you can swell the pockets of a surgeon you can have anything. If you don't have the cash you suffer, but at least you will be alive ! Seems to be a moral here somewhere.”
by anon, bristol
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 10:43AM
“For that amount of money they will do any operation does not matter what the age is”
by Joe, Bristol
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 10:41AM
“Why the surprise Hannah, the Surgeon copped 10 grand.”