Family settles after father died three weeks after he attended A&E with chest pain

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Family Settles After Father Died Three Weeks After He Attended A&Amp;E With Chest Pain
Father of four Shane Nolan from Co Carlow was 44 years of age when he died five years ago.
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High Court reporters

The family of a man who died of complications associated with heart attack over three weeks after he was first seen at a hospital A&E  for chest pain has settled a High Court action against the HSE over his death.

Father of four Shane Nolan from Co Carlow was 44 years of age when he died five years ago.

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It was claimed that he had been discharged from the A&E at St Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny over three weeks before in August 2020 when it was allegedly unsafe to do so because a repeat blood test that is used to diagnose heart problems had allegedly not been carried out.

It was further claimed there was a failure to perform a cardiac rule out assessment based on Mr Nolan’s age and strong family history of coronary artery disease.

The family’s counsel Liam Reidy SC instructed by Cantillons Solicitors told the court it was their case that  Mr Nolan died as a result of complications of a heart attack and that this could have been avoided.

Mr Nolan’s wife Fiona Nolan of Bagenalstown, Co Carlow had sued the HSE  over the death of her husband.

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Counsel told the court liability was admitted in the case which was settled after mediation talks. The terms of the settlement are confidential.

Outside court Ms Fiona Nolan said she had been looking for answers and the settlement was at the “ the end of a long journey.”

She added: “although the compensation will assist, it is no replacement for me and the children.”

She said she hoped the case highlighted “to healthcare professions the need to be vigilant so as to prevent this type of tragedy happening to another family.”

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In the proceedings it was claimed Mr Nolan who had an elevated body mass index, a past medical history of smoking and a strong family history of coronary artery disease woke up at 3am on August 20th, 2020 with sharp belt like pain in his abdomen and chest radiating to his left shoulder.

He went to the A&E department of St Luke’s General Hospital where he was triaged within ten minutes of arrival.

He had an ECG scan and a working diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was made.

A working diagnosis of gastritis was later made. Further tests were taken it was claimed but not the repeat troponin blood test. His pain was recorded as having settled and he was discharged home after 9am.

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It was claimed that Mr Nolan continued to complain of chest discomfort over the following two weeks and this became acute on September 1st, 2020 when he again attended the emergency department of the hospital complaining of chest pain.

He had another ECG and it was thought he had suffered a type of heart attack.

A stent was later inserted but an echocardiogram on September 4th, 2020 showed significant damage to the heart. He was discharged three days later with a plan for rehabilitation and outpatient follow up.

Shortly after midnight on September 8th, Mr Nolan suffered further cardiac arrest and lost consciousness.

A community defibrillator was used to shock him and paramedics continued resuscitation which lasted about 40 minutes.He was brought to St Lukes Hospital and ventilated but a CT scan showed he had suffered a hypoxic brain injury

A CT scan on the next day indicated further deterioration and Mr Nolan suffered a further cardiac arrest.

He was resuscitated but his condition continued to deteriorate, and he died on September 13th, 2020.

Approving the division of the statutory mental distress payment, Mr Justice Paul Coffey extended his deepest sympathy to the Nolan family.

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