Coronial
VICcommunity

Finding into death of DA

Deceased

D A

Demographics

42y, male

Coroner

Deputy State Coroner Paresa Spanos

Date of death

2009-11-06

Finding date

2011-09-20

Cause of death

Ischaemic heart disease due to severe triple-vessel coronary artery atherosclerosis

AI-generated summary

A 42-year-old man with known severe triple-vessel coronary artery disease died from acute ischaemic heart disease while working at height. He had refused recommended coronary artery bypass graft surgery in December 2008, citing fear of the procedure. Instead, he purchased unproven 'chelation therapy' (Angioprim) from an unregulated US internet supplier, despite having positive stress testing and angiographic confirmation of critical coronary stenosis. He continued physical work despite cardiology advice to restrict activity. His death occurred from natural cardiac causes, not from the fall, though he fell while acutely unwell. The case highlights dangers of unregulated online medical products and the importance of informed patient engagement with serious cardiac disease requiring timely surgical intervention.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.

Specialties

cardiologycardiothoracic surgeryforensic medicine

Error types

diagnosticcommunicationsystemdelay

Drugs involved

angioprimaspirinmetoprololatorvastatinramiprilgtn patches

Clinical conditions

ischaemic heart diseasecoronary artery atherosclerosisleft main and triple-vessel coronary artery diseaseleft ventricular systolic dysfunction

Procedures

stress electrocardiogramleft ventricular angiogramcoronary angiography

Contributing factors

  • Refusal of coronary artery bypass graft surgery
  • Non-adherence with prescribed cardiac medications
  • Use of unproven alternative therapy (Angioprim chelation formula) instead of evidence-based treatment
  • Continued physical work despite cardiology advice to restrict activity
  • Lack of ongoing medical supervision after cancelling surgery
  • Sourcing medical advice and treatment from unregulated internet suppliers

Coroner's recommendations

  1. The Chief Health Officer for Victoria/Department of Health should consider sponsoring joint development of a public education campaign about the dangers and risks of sourcing medical information and products online, involving all relevant stakeholders including the TGA, Customs, and professional medical bodies
Full text

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