A sudden death at Lamia General Hospital has raised serious questions about the handling of an urgent cardiology case. A 56-year-old businessman died a few hours after being discharged, despite ongoing severe chest pain and a persistently low heart rate. The 6th Health Region has ordered an official sworn administrative inquiry (Ένορκη Διοικητική Εξέταση, EDE) into the incident.
The episode began on the afternoon of Thursday, November 27, when the man developed severe chest pain at his home in Lamia. His pulse had dropped to about 48 beats per minute, and his partner took him to a private cardiologist. The ECG showed worrying findings and bradycardia, and the cardiologist advised immediate transfer to the hospital emergency department for further evaluation.
The patient arrived at Lamia General Hospital shortly after 19:00 and underwent a series of tests. According to his partner, his pulse remained around 48 and the chest pain did not subside. She reports that a cardiologist asked him to move his legs “like pedaling a bicycle” to try to raise his heart rate. Despite persistent symptoms, the doctors discharged him at about midnight.
Overnight the chest pain continued and, in the early morning hours of the next day, the 56-year-old lost consciousness and produced loud respiratory noises. His partner attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but was unsuccessful. At 05:55 the ambulance doctor pronounced him dead.
The forensic (autopsy) report identified the cause of death as cardiac tamponade secondary to rupture of an ascending aortic dissection. In such cases the aorta tears and blood rapidly fills the pericardial sac, preventing the heart from functioning; prompt surgical intervention is required, otherwise death is usually inevitable.
Speaking to ANT1’s program “Apokalypseis” (“Revelations”), the victim’s partner described chaotic conditions in the hospital reception area and distressed patients left unattended. She also said that, after her partner died, a doctor came out to offer condolences and reacted strongly when she told him she would request a forensic autopsy.
The victim’s wife has initiated legal proceedings against all responsible parties. The cardiologist who examined the man was arrested but later released. The 6th Health Region’s sworn administrative investigation aims to clarify the medical decisions and care provided in this case.
