Finding into death of CDK

71y · Female·Complications post aortic endarterectomy

A 71-year-old woman died from complications following elective aortic endarterectomy for leg claudication. Post-operatively, she developed acute bilateral lower limb ischaemia with absent pulses, pale/mottled skin, and severely prolonged capillary refill. The ICU registrar contacted the operating surgeon at 9pm, but no in-person vascular review occurred that evening. Surgery was delayed until afternoon the next day (approximately 19 hours later). Expert opinion indicated urgent overnight review and earlier re-operation would have been appropriate and could have reduced reperfusion injury and improved survival prospects. The delay in reassessment and re-operation reduced the patient's chances of survival, though it cannot be definitively stated this would have prevented death.