Failure to Properly Perform Carotid Endarterectomy

In February 2007, attorney Andrew Slutkin of the law firm of Silverman Thompson filed a medical malpractice case against Maryland Vascular Surgeon Dr. Juan Juanteguy and his former medical partner, Dr. Sohalia Ali, alleging that they failed to property perform a vascular surgical procedure known as a carotid endarterectomy upon a patient at Sinai Hospital, and then failed to properly manage her complications after surgery, causing the patient suffered a severe and permanent stroke. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that Dr. Juanteguy did not use a patch to close the carotid artery after surgery, and as a result, the carotid artery was narrowed and subsequently re-stenosed (blocked) beginning on the afternoon of the first postoperative day. Plaintiff alleges that had a patch been used, the artery would not have become blocked and Ms. Chaney would not have had the stroke that caused severe cognitive and physical deficits which has forced her to rely on others to care for her. The lawsuit also alleges that Dr. Ali negligently failed to respond to complaints by certain family members of Ms. Chaney that she was exhibiting signs and symptoms consistent with a stroke; i.e., that she was confused, disoriented and neglecting her left side, and that Dr. Ali failed to respond to knowledge of Ms. Chaney’s confusion, disorientation and left sided complaints after being told of the same by another health care provider.

In support of Plaintiff’s case, Plaintiff intends to rely upon extensive medical literature that establishes that it has been known for more than a decade that the traditional surgical method of carotid endarterectomy, in which the carotid artery is simply closed by sutures after the plaque is removed, reduces the flow of blood through the artery because the process of stitching the artery reduces the size of the lumen of the artery. Accordingly, beginning in 2000, vascular surgeons began using patches made out of natural or artificial materials to assist in the closure of cartoid artery during such surgeries. The medical literature clearly indicates that carotid patch angioplasty decreases the risk for perioperative death or stroke, as well as the long-term risk of stroke or death. Again, it is alleged that Dr. Juanteguy failed to use such a patch, and was therefore negligent. Plaintiff will also utilize literature that indicates that it has been well known for decades that patients undergoing carotid endarterectomies must be vigilantly watched for changes in mental status and one-sided weakness during the days following surgery because the cartoid artery is susceptible to reclogging.

At the law firm of Silverman Thompson, we are experienced at handling a wide variety of serious injury cases, such as those involving medical malpractice. In fact, we regularly obtain million dollar plus settlements and verdicts for our clients in medical malpractice cases, and have been trial counsel in some of the largest multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in the area. Call our team of lawyers for a free consultation at (410) 385-2225 or visit our website to set up your free consultation.