Medical Examiner: Joan Rivers Died From a 'Predictable Complication'

shesallthat · ‎03-09-2010

An official cause of death has been ruled in the Joan Rivers investigation.

On Thursday, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner issued the following statement: "The cause of Ms. Rivers's death is anoxic encephalopathy due to hypoxic arrest during laryngoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with Propofol sedation for evaluation of voice changes and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The manner of death is therapeutic complication."

The OCME continued, "The classification of a death as a therapeutic complication means that the death resulted from a predictable complication of medical therapy."

Basically, the legendary comedian was sedated with the drug Propofol when she was going in for a procedure to treat voice changes and acid reflux. Anoxic encephalopathy means that Rivers's brain was deprived of oxygen for a prolonged period of time, which sent her into cardiac arrest. Joan was then rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she remained in a medically induced coma, but was unable to breathe her own. On Sept. 4 she was taken off life support and passed away at the age of 81.

Joan's family had no comment on today's ruling. "We continue to be saddened by our tragic loss and grateful for the enormous outpouring of love and support from around the world," Melissa said in a statement.

Both the New York Police Department and the New York State Department of Health are looking into the circumstances surrounding Joan's death, but neither has issued a comment about the status of their investigations.

https://celebrity.yahoo.com/blogs/celeb-news/medical-examiner--joan-rivers-died-from-a--predictable-...

YorkieonmyPillow · ‎01-13-2013

It seems unbelievable to me that this happened; yet, I know it did. This really angers me but what can one do? I feel so sorry for Melissa and Cooper.

pepes mom · ‎03-09-2010

Every time I've had an endoscopy, I've been attached to a heart monitor and a pulse oximeter. I would certainly hope that Ms. Rivers was treated in the same fashion.

Elstongunn · ‎03-12-2010

I'm still a little fuzzy on this: what caused the lack of oxygen to the brain that resulted in cardiac arrest? Did her larynx seize up?

Money doesn't talk; it swears. --Bob Dylan

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

I'm surprised by the finding. The report seems to be saying that the doctor and the facility acted appropriately and Joan's death was due to the normal risks associated with anesthesia. Which certainly could be the case. Anyone who has ever had any type of surgery or any invasive testing knows the risks, that's why we sign consent forms. It's just that things like this are so rare that we assume they never happen.

ROMARY · ‎04-28-2010

Very sad. Well, at the very, very least, at least we will have questions and suggestions re: similar procedures. Knowledge is everything. Bring in our notepads, ask questions, etc.

'More or less', 'Right or wrong', 'In general', and 'Just thinking out loud ' (as usual).

YorkieonmyPillow · ‎01-13-2013

On 10/16/2014 chrystaltree said:
I'm surprised by the finding. The report seems to be saying that the doctor and the facility acted appropriately and Joan's death was due to the normal risks associated with anesthesia. Which certainly could be the case. Anyone who has ever had any type of surgery or any invasive testing knows the risks, that's why we sign consent forms. It's just that things like this are so rare that we assume they never happen.

I read it the exact opposite way: a "predictable complication" would mean the doctors should've been aware that this could happen, and been prepared in the case of. Meaning, it should NOT have happened.

Yes, ktylnam, she had a laryngospasm. I don't believe she had consented to the biopsy that was done.

straykatz · ‎03-09-2010

No matter who you are, your age, gender, etc there are certain risks involved anytime you are put under.

croemer · ‎03-10-2010

On 10/16/2014 YorkieonmyPillow said:
On 10/16/2014 chrystaltree said:
I'm surprised by the finding. The report seems to be saying that the doctor and the facility acted appropriately and Joan's death was due to the normal risks associated with anesthesia. Which certainly could be the case. Anyone who has ever had any type of surgery or any invasive testing knows the risks, that's why we sign consent forms. It's just that things like this are so rare that we assume they never happen.

I read it the exact opposite way: a "predictable complication" would mean the doctors should've been aware that this could happen, and been prepared in the case of. Meaning, it should NOT have happened.

Yes, ktylnam, she had a laryngospasm. I don't believe she had consented to the biopsy that was done.

Thats how I read it too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**Careful... I have caps lock and I am not afraid to use it.**

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

On 10/16/2014 ROMARY said:
Very sad. Well, at the very, very least, at least we will have questions and suggestions re: similar procedures. Knowledge is everything. Bring in our notepads, ask questions, etc.

You really don't get this at all. Bring all the notepads you want, write everything down. Underline it in red. The fact is that if you ultimately decide to have a surgical or invasive diagnositc procedure there is no 100% guarantee that nothing unfortunate will happen. All procedures, even a few stiches on cut finger, come with risks. The human body is fragile and no one, not even the best doctors in the entire universe can predict every outcome. It can't be done. Bad things can happen even when everyone does everything right. I think the lesson to be learned here is that the elderly, regardless of how healthy and vibrant they are; should not have procedures done in outpatient surgery centers. They should be in hospitals where immediate care and treatment can be given in case something should go wrong.