Hospital check led to woman’s death

Oct 9 2008 by Emma Davison, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

During Mrs Gillespie’s procedure it was found that she needed a small metal tube fitted to unblock the diseased arteries.

Cardiologist Dr Robert Stevenson told the inquest that the procedure was routine, he himself having carried it out 3,000 times before.

However, during the procedure, doctors had problems inserting the tube and during their attempts to perforate one of the arteries a small tear was caused.

Dr Stevenson told the hearing that Mrs Gillespie was told before the procedure that there was a one in 500 risk of serious complications arising from it.

He said that despite initial problems in inserting the device, the procedure had been straightforward.

After the angiogram, Mrs Gillespie was transferred to the cardiac ward and given anti-clotting medication.

Coroner Paul Marks heard that the medication did increase the risk of bleeding, but it was not a big risk and standard practice.