Scary Story about SCD, questions

[wildcat27]

Let me preface this by saying that I hate to come on the board and ask about something that likely will never apply to a vast majority of us...but nevertheless, this really gave me anxiety since hearing this story last night.

I was at a party with some of the folks at our firm. One of our partners lost his wife (at age 39) almost two years ago (which I knew) and he has 6 children, 3 biological and 3 adopted children under 5. He's an awesome guy and his family seems like they are finally starting to piece things together. He seems to be doing well, and he loves being a father to those kids.

Being new to the firm, I didn't know how his wife had died, but when the topic of his family came up last night with some of the associates that work more closely for him (he was not there), I asked them how he had lost his wife. After some questions it was revealed that she died of some form of SCD two days after she had a failed procedure at the Cleveland Clinic (we are in KC). From what the associates told me, she was 39, her sister had died from the same or similar problem two years earlier, and she went in to have it fixed....understanding that there was some risk. Sadly, she had complications during the procedure, they put her in a medically induced coma, but she died two days later. I asked if she had ventricular arryhtmia issues and cardiomyopathy and these guys seemed to think that was right (although they didn't really know what was wrong for sure)...but still I didn't understand why she would not have already had an ICD or some other treatment. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what she possibly could have had to have died so young...and at the CC of all places, I think that is what shocked me the most. Obviously if her sister had the same thing, there was some underlying family heart issues. But I couldn't think of any of the procedures I've ever heard of causing this in a 39 yo...CABG, ablation, valve repair/replacement, stents, etc...I've read extensively about all of them and never heard of someone so young dying in surgery. Certainly young people die when certain defects go undiagnosed...but the combination that she was getting treatment at the best heart center in the wolrd and that she was so young just doesn't add up.

Again, sorry to ask such a speculative question. I know I should just ask the partner at some point, but I really don't want to be insensitive and bring it up just so I can understand for my own reassurance. Anyone have any idea what this could have been?  

[Celeste77]

Your welcome and just for the record, I've had the same thoughts at one time or another.

Be well.

[Celeste77]

Yes, I know. However, the topic at hand was about the CC cardiac unit. The stats were directed at wildcats surprise at one dying while in there care....and I also stated "Sadly, one of the possible rare complications to ANY invasive medical procedure is death."  

Just for fun, here's more reason's why CC is listed as the top Cardiac/Vascular hospital in the US.

Mortality rates:

Thoracic/Heart surgery:
CC   1.1
National 3.3

Stroke:
CC  5.5
National 6.5

Acute MI
CC  9.4
National  16.4

Heart Failure
CC    8.4
National  11.1

Defibrillator implantation
CC  0.0 Complictions 0.4
National 2.1  Complications 3.8

[wildcat27]

thanks everyone for your thoughts. to be clear, it was not just that she was young, it was that from what I can tell she died of some type of ventricular arythmia and possibly combined with cardiomyopathy...she was having a heart procedure done...I just don't know what it was. My buddies mom died in a similar way this past fall. Both of them "struggled with arythmia disorders" for years. So as someone who gets PACs, PVCs, and has had A-Fib and NSVT I wonder, "is the only difference between me and them that I have a 'healthy' heart and they didn't"...I think that's what I want to know...what made their arythmias deadly and mine not?

for the record I believe God has numbered all of our days perfectly and I find a great deal of solice in that promise and the promise of new life in Christ in eternity.

But I do get hung up on why some people die of arythmias and other have them their whole life without major incident.

Thanks again.

[anacyde]

Though Cleveland Clinic is considered the best in heart care, no one is perfect.  At least three human factors are involved in all surgeries: patient, doctor and anesthesiologist.  Even in the best of situations, electrical problems with the heart can prove problematic.  With any surgery at any age, there is a very small risk of death associated with the surgery.  While most people will not become that statistic...sadly, a small few will.

As to your questions, there may just not be answers to them, and we can't even speculate without knowing her medical problem for sure.  Though it is terrible to hear of someone so young dying, it happens.  My ex sister-in-law died of a brain tumor at the same age and to this day it haunts me to think of it.  It came out of nowhere.

We can dwell on these things, these possibilities, and we can let it consume us.  Or, we can live each day enjoying the day we were blessed to wake up and have instead of living in fear of not seeing the next.

[tickertock]

While I can surely sympathize with the lost, I must agree with all of the above comments. When an event like SCD happens to someone that is loved or someone who one knows , it appears much more common than it really is, it's just the way the way life has it and sometimes it plays havoc with our emotional and mental states. It's only natural. Please try and and get pass this and DON"T DWELL on the what ifs , while its very sad to those concerned you must not let it affect you adeversely and go on living, it's not healthy.There are certain things that have no explanation and we will never understand. I had a friend of mine who lost his wife about 2 years back at only 33 years old collapsed and died in front of their 8 year old daughter. Up to now there is no apparent concrete cause and the last I heard it might have been diet pills though no one is sure.

[often]

Anytime you are put under for any kind of surgery, the risk to never wake up is there.  Why do you think you have to sign all those papers?  Perfectly healthy people having totally routine procedures have been know to kick over.  

[wildcat27]

celeste,

very good points. I agree we need to focus on the positive results and the outstanding record of treatment and innovation at the CC.

I think I was wondering more what the cause of this could have been...and you offer several very viable suggestions.

thanks for the input. very sorry to hear about your neighbor and your friend's friend.

thanks again.

[Celeste77]

The Cleveland Clinic’s in-hospital mortality rate is 1.1 percent compared to 3.3 percent in the database of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Cardiac Ablation:
"During catheter insertion, the heart or a blood vessel may be perforated or damaged. Other potential complications include interruption of normal impulse conduction, stroke, heart attack, and death."

Sadly, one of the possible rare complications to any invasive medical procedure is death.
example: A neighbor of mine, age 42, went in for bypass surgery 3 years ago and died pre-op due to a rare reaction to the Heparin (anticoagulant).
A friend of a friend, age 24, died last year due to Sepsis thought to have started in an IV site while being treated for relief of the gastrointestinal flu.

As far as your collegues wife, her death could of been caused by several entities especially with a personal or family history of certain abnormal heart rhythms and/or SCD, ie, LQT, WPW and early CAD.

Rather then speculate and worry, personally, I would concentrate on the success and life saving stories with the procedures.
There are dozens of them right here on this forum....

Best wishes.