Coroner told three-metre-long wire caused bleeding

A FOOTBALL-mad pensioner died in hospital after doctors perforated an artery during a risky brain procedure, an inquest heard on Tuesday.
Nelly Maria Isaacs, 68, was undergoing surgery on an aneurysm behind her optic nerve when a wire pierced an artery causing a fatal bleed, a hearing at St Pancras Coroners’ Court was told.
Doctors at the National Hospital, Queen Street in Holborn, told the hearing that Mrs Isaacs was aware of the risks involved before agreeing to go ahead. The Manchester United season ticket holder, of Great Portland Street, first realised something was wrong in February when her eyesight began to deteriorate.
A visit to her GP Dr Paul Zeider resulted in a referral to the Western Eye Hospital, where a CT scan revealed an aneurysm behind her optic nerve.
Mrs Isaacs was referred to the National Hospital where doctors carried out an endovascular procedure – inserting a three metre wire to place metal coils in the aneurysm.
Consultant neurosurgeon Laurence Watkins told the hearing: “You’re working at a long distance from the aneurysm. If the wire goes further than it’s intended, it can perforate a blood vessel.”
He added Mrs Isaac’s condition began to deteriorate while in recovery.
He said: “Overnight her blood pressure began to rise and despite everything the staff tried, they couldn’t stop it.” She died in hospital on July 17.
Her daughter Estelle Isaacs told the hearing: “She liked to go to the football.
“She was extremely active and energetic. The fact that her eyesight was failing didn’t really impede her at all.”
Coroner Dr Andrew Reid told the court: “The haemorrhage was probably caused by the guide wire.”
He added: “Mrs Isaacs died as a result of an iatrogenic subarachnoid haemorrhage as caused by a perforation of one of the arteries that was under treatment.
Verdict: A recognised accidental complication of endovascular neuro-radiological treatment.