Man, 73, died in Blackpool Victoria Hospital almost three weeks after vital heart operation

A 73-year-old man died in Blackpool Victoria Hospital almost three weeks after undergoing a potentially life-saving heart operation.

David Jones, from Blackpool, had the aortic valve replacement procedure after being diagnosed with endocarditis, a rare, life-threatening inflammation of the inner lining of the heart's chambers and valves, usually caused by bacteria or fungi entering the bloodstream and attaching to damaged heart tissue.

An inquest at Blackpool Town Hall heard that a post mortem found his cause of death to be multi-organ failure as a result of sepsis caused by infected endocarditis, with a contributing factor of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Mr Jones had been admitted to the hospital’s specialist cardiac unit in September last year after suffering chest and back pain on returning from a holiday in Croatia.

Consultant cardiac surgeon Mr Antony Walker, who carried out the operation, told the inquest that Mr Jones’ condition was life-threatening without treatment and the procedure had a general mortality rate of three to four per cent.

Following the procedure on September 16, Mr Jones underwent a re-exploration in the operating theatre after some bleeding, then spent an extensive period on the coronary intensive care unit before his condition stabilised sufficiently for him to be transferred to a ward on October 2.

But his condition then deteriorated and he died on October 6 last year.

The inquest is hearing evidence from several medical professionals and Blackpool and Fylde chief coroner Alan Wilson is expected to give his conclusion tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3.