Melissa Rivers has always come across as her mothers' daughter and in the coming weeks she is likely going to prove it. When Joan Rivers checked into NYC's Yorkville Endoscopy Clinic for a simple procedure no one could have guessed that legal action would likely be the end game. According to sources close to Melissa, her mother did indeed consult her cardiologist in advance and had been medically cleared for the throat procedure that ultimately left her in full cardiac arrest.
Already there has been rumblings about a malpractice lawsuit and one thing is certain — the details have been sketchy from the start. Sources close to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where Rivers was transferred to after she stopped breathing, claimed that they were unclear on how long the comedienne's brain had been deprived of oxygen before she was put into a medically induced coma. Logic says that if Rivers had been monitored closely then those caring for her should have had a pretty clear handle on her real condition, minute-by-minute.
One possible scenario being readily discussed is whether or not the sedative used during the endoscopy was ultimately too strong for the legendary star. If something like Propofol was used then one of the side effects is slowed breathing which can lead to cardiac arrest. We aren't sure what Rivers was given at the Yorkville Clinic, but any of the approved anesthesias can be deadly if used improperly or without constant supervision of the patient.
Adding to the confusion is the fact that Rivers' autopsy was inconclusive and more test results are needed to figure out the true cause of her death. While Joan was 81 years old, it seems that right up until the night before her procedure she was actually in great health, making her death both shocking and untimely. It's a pretty fair bet that once Melissa Rivers struggles to get herself and her son Cooper through her mothers' funeral she will be demanding answers and not stop until she actually gets them.
Melissa has reportedly told friends that she wholeheartedly believes that if her mother's procedure had been done in a hospital she would still be cracking jokes today. Do you think that malpractice and human error played a part in Joan Rivers' unexpected death? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
