Ellie was born in October 2022 with a patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA, a congenital heart condition. After repeated hospitalizations for respiratory problems, doctors determined she needed a transcatheter procedure to close the vessel.
Dr. Daniel McLennan, according to a lawsuit filed in Marathon County Court, performed the procedure Dec. 16, 2022, using an approach from the aortic side. A closure device later became dislodged and lodged in Ellie’s left pulmonary artery. According to the complaint, McLennan attempted to retrieve it without initially calling a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Ellie then went into cardiac arrest, according to the suit. A cardiothoracic surgeon was eventually called and performed emergency surgery. The complaint alleges Ellie suffered a brain injury from reduced blood flow and oxygen and now has cerebral palsy, severe developmental and motor disabilities, blindness in one eye and requires extensive ongoing care.
The lawsuit alleges McLennan and the Medical College of Wisconsin were negligent in how the procedure and attempted retrieval were handled. Ellie’s parents are seeking damages to be determined at trial, along with compensation for future medical and other expenses. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Also inside this month’s court filings: a contractor accused of diverting project money, disputes over property assessments at Sam’s Club and Walmart, an unusual boat-repair lawsuit, foreclosure litigation and several business debt cases. Here’s what else was filed in Marathon County Circuit Court.