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The Scotsman

2:19pm (UK)
Teenage Rugby Player Died from Blood Product Allergy

By David Stringer, PA


A promising young rugby player died in hospital on his 17th birthday after he suffered a rare allergic reaction to a routine procedure, an inquest heard today.

Luke Murrell, an aspiring front row forward with Croydon RFC, had been awaiting an exploratory operation ahead of treatment for a abdominal tumour when he suffered massive heart and lung failure.

The teenager suffered anaphylactic shock following a one in 47,000 reaction to a transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), which was being used to ensure his blood could clot, Westminster Coroner’s Court was told

The teenager, of Merlin Grove, Beckenham, Kent, had been complaining of breathing difficulties overnight and had his mother at his side at Middlesex Hospital, London, on January 14 when he suddenly went into decline.

Dr Leanne Super, a specialist registrar involved in Luke’s treatment, said the plasma – the liquid component of blood – could not have been expected to cause the reaction.

She said it had been an essential part of his treatment as doctors feared his inability to clot blood could cause fatal complications when he had a lumber puncture and bone marrow extracted.

“As I was on the phone to intensive care when it became clear there was something not right, he very rapidly declined, all in the space of a few minutes,� Dr Super told the court.

“It was not an expected chain of events and under normal circumstances the medication we gave him should have corrected the problem.�

Dr Judith Kingston, of Middlesex Hospital, told the court that Luke had been admitted to another hospital in December with a cancerous tumour but had an 80% chance of survival.

The student at Coulsdon College in Croydon, who had a part-time job at Woolworths in West Wickham, Kent, harboured hopes of becoming a film set designer.

Friends who set up an internet tribute after his death said he had been a “model human� who acted as an “inspiration�.

The inquest heard the remainder of the portion of FFP which had been transfused into the teenager should have been sent to a laboratory for testing, but never arrived.

Deputy Assistant Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe admitted she would have preferred the opportunity to examine the results, but said the batch it came from had been examined and revealed no problems.

She recorded a verdict of death by misadventure and said the hospital could not be blamed for the teenager’s fatal reaction to his treatment.

“I can find any fault with his medical treatment but, as we know, medical treatment is never 100% risk-free,� Dr Radcliffe said.

“This tragedy was compounded by the fact it took place on his 17th birthday and that he died so young and in such circumstances.�

__________________
Mr. Jan B. Wade
Blood Management Consultant
Enhance Outcomes - Control Cost
For Information Call - 360 296-1807
Email

it would have been a greater tradgedy if he had died halfway through his 16th/17th year,

thats very unfortunate, but 'misadventure'

can't believe that label was applied to the cause of death, are they saying young people shouldn't exercise, it wasn't as if he was involved in gang violence or anything like that [from what the story says]

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