Mr N was concerned about possible heart problems after an abnormal ECG. Trust staff carried out further investigations and diagnosed Mr N with a heart problem. He subsequently had investigations at another hospital which found he did not have this condition.
What happened
Mr N had an electrocardiogram (ECG). This showed an abnormality in the electrical activity of his heart. He then had an echocardiogram (echo), which is an ultrasound image of the heart. The echo showed a problem with the contraction of the muscle of the left ventricle. It found that the left ventricle was not pumping as effectively as it should.
Further tests did not find any significant problems in the arteries supplying the heart.
When the consultant wrote to Mr N's GP, he said the angiogram confirmed the diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes stretched and weak, and the heart becomes enlarged and pumps less effectively.
Doctors gave Mr N medication and lifestyle advice. He had two follow‑up appointments and was discharged into the care of his GP ten months after the diagnosis.
Mr N was very concerned about his heart and thought his life might be cut short. He gave up his stressful job and the running and competitive cycling he enjoyed.
Mr N's GP referred him to another trust, where he had another set of tests. The problems the ECG identified were still there but there was no evidence he had an enlarged heart.
Mr N also disputed the accuracy of referral information in the electronic cardiology records and asked the Trust to remove it. It added a note saying that he disputed the information but refused to remove it because it came from Mr N's GP. The GP Practice and the Trust did not keep the original referral form, so no one could establish that there was an inaccuracy.
What we found
The diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy was not correct, and this diagnosis caused Mr N worry and anxiety. However, Mr N still had problems with reduced pumping efficiency and the muscle of the left ventricle. There was also an electrical abnormality.
The medication the doctors gave Mr N was appropriate for the problems he had.
The advice Mr N got about stress and exercise (as noted in the records) was reasonable. We were unable to decide about what the doctor said about work and exercise in consultations.
The Trust took reasonable action in response to Mr N's concern about incorrect information in the electronic record.
We identified learning points about complaint handling and follow-up care for patients like Mr N, and we told the Trust about these.
Mr N said that he made huge and unnecessary changes to his life because of the misdiagnosis and the advice the doctor gave him. As the treatment and documented advice were correct for the heart problems Mr N actually had, we did not agree that the changes could be linked to failings on the Trust's part. It is possible there was a problem in the verbal advice the doctor gave but we were unable to decide whether this was the case.
Putting it right
The Trust apologised to Mr N for the misdiagnosis and for the impact this had on him.
Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
South Yorkshire
Not applicable
Apology