SUMMARY JUDGMENT FOR CARDIOLOGIST

Ginette Portera

This motion for summary judgment, successfully argued by Ginette Portera involved the alleged failure to prescribe an anticoagulant to a 65-year-old female post-discharge from an approximate 2-week hospitalization during which the patient underwent triple bypass (CABG x3) surgery and subsequently experienced episodic atrial fibrillation, which had resolved by the time of discharge. Approximately eight (8) days post-discharge, the patient developed sudden onset bilateral leg pain and was found to have severe atherosclerosis throughout the aorta and its branches, and acute occlusion of both popliteal arteries, requiring several vascular procedures. Ms. Portera successfully dismissed the claims made by the hospital and cardiothoracic surgery team against the cardiologist for contribution and indemnification.