The author of the hit musical “Rent” was twice misdiagnosed and sent home from hospitals to die, just days before he was about to unveil the work that brought him international acclaim, state health officials said yesterday.
As the main artery from his heart was about to burst, Jonathan Larson went to two of the city’s most prestigious hospitals with excruciating chest pains, dizziness and shortness of breath.
But doctors told him he had food poisoning or a viral syndrome and sent Larson, 35, home, where he died of an aortic aneurysm on his kitchen floor.
Larson’s health problems were “not correctly diagnosed and inappropriately treated” at Cabrini Medical Center and St. Vincent’s Medical Center, investigators said.
The hospitals were hit with unusual fines totaling $16,000 after the state’s four-month probe, and doctors at both hospitals were referred for investigation by the state’s Office of Professional Medical Conduct.
“Mr. Larson’s condition was misdiagnosed at both hospitals,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Barbara DeBuono said yesterday. “We do have concerns about the appropriateness and medical soundness of the treatment Mr. Larson received in their emergency rooms.
”
An autopsy showed Larson had a tear of more than 12 inches in his aorta from an aneurysm, which caused his death Jan. 25 the night of the final rehearsal for “Rent.
”
The musical, seven years in the making, went on to win the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize for drama in the months following Larson’s death.
In the days before “Rent” debuted, however, when Larson was still an unknown artist living in a small West Village apartment, he began showing signs of heart trouble and visited the two hospitals charged in yesterday’s probe.
Cabrini Medical Center, the E. 19th St. hospital where Larson was taken by ambulance Jan. 21, has been slapped with a $10,000 fine.
Among its errors, state officials said, was sending Larson home with a diagnosis of food poisoning.
Cabrini also pumped his stomach and treated him with a painkiller, toradol a medicine inappropriate even for food poisoning that compounded the problems by camouflaging symptoms, state officials said.
And the radiologist who examined Larson’s X-rays the next day found nothing wrong, though some medical experts brought in by the state said they showed an enlarged heart and extended aorta more typical of someone twice Larson’s age.
The next day, Larson visited St. Vincent’s Medical Center, where doctors gave him another X-ray and an EKG, yet misdiagnosed him with a viral syndrome.
St. Vincent’s which released Larson in an “improved” condition the day before his death received a smaller fine of $6,000.
The hospitals issued public statements yesterday denying any negligence and questioned the state report.
“A number of deficiencies exist between the department’s report and the medical facts in this case,” said a statement from St. Vincent’s Medical Center. “Our exhaustive review indicates that Mr. Larson’s evaluation at St. Vincent’s was medically thorough and appropriate.
”
DeBuono conceded that diagnosing the aortic aneurysm “would pose a challenge to the best clinician,” particularly because of Larson’s young age and lack of history.
Larson’s sister, who with her family has filed a $250 million negligence lawsuit against both hospitals, was reported to be too distraught to comment yesterday.
“On the one hand, she is gratified that an independent investigation found that the hospital’s care was deficient,” said family attorney David Taback.
“But at the same time, she is saddened because it is further confirmation that her brother shouldn’t have died,” he said.
Larson’s parents were unavailable for comment.
The musical a modern version of “La Boheme” depicting life on the lower East Side played to sellout performances at the New York Theater Workshop before it moved to Broadway’s Nederlander Theater, where it won prestigious Tony and New York Drama Critics’ Circle awards.
Three months after Larson’s death, “Rent” won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize.
LARSON’S LAST DAYS
Jan. 21, 6:45 p.
m.: Jonathan Larson develops chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness after dinner. Goes to Cabrini Medical Center emergency room and tells friend, “My chest is killing me.
”
Jan. 21, 10:15 p.
m.: Doctors discharge Larson with probable food poisoning diagnosis after doing an EKG and taking X-rays. They pump his stomach, give him a painkiller and tell him to stick to a bland diet for 24 hours.
Jan. 22: Larson remains at home, telling roommate he feels discomfort.
Jan. 23: Larson complains of “not feeling right” because of chest pain and fever.
Jan. 23, 11 p.
m.: Friend brings Larson to St. Vincent’s Medical Center emergency room, where his chest pain is rated 7 in severity on a scale of 10. Nurse lists case as urgent.
Jan. 24, 12:40 a.
m.: Emergency room doctor examines Larson and performs chest X-ray and EKG. Diagnosed with viral syndrome and discharged in “improved” condition.
Jan. 24: Larson tells his father he has chest and lower back pain and a low-grade fever. Attends dress rehearsal for his show.
Jan. 25, 12:30 a.
m: Arrives home from rehearsal.
Jan. 25, 3:30 a.
m.: Roommate finds Larson dead on the kitchen floor.
