Dr. Mark Midei's License Revoked After Stent Scandal

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The doctor at the center of a major medical scandal can no longer practice medicine in Maryland. 

Derek Valcourt has more on the findings against Dr. Mark Midei from the State Board of Physicians.

Midei was blasted by Maryland's Board of Physicians.  In an 88-page decision released Wednesday, the board calls Midei's violations repeated, serious and indefensible.

In 2009, the world-renowned cardiologist came under intense scrutiny after a review found more than 500 of his patients at St. Joseph Medical Center may have received unnecessary stents---tiny devices designed to open blocked arteries---leaving some patients confused and frustrated.

"It just doesn't seem right," said one patient.  "Dr. Midei said I had a 90 percent  blockage and whoever did a subsequent reading said less than 50 percent blocked, so I just said, `Who's right?'"

In their lengthy report, the Maryland Board of Physicians found that "Dr. Midei implanted stents unnecessarily in four out of five patient cases it reviewed," that "he falsified the extent of the blockage in those patients, saying it was higher than it really was" and that "he violated the standards of quality care."

For his part, Midei has all along denied any wrongdoing.

"What I did was what I would want for myself, for anybody in my family," he said last October.  "They were treated appropriately and with the highest regard for their well-being."

Midei's attorney, Stephen Snyder, tells WJZ's media partner, The Baltimore Sun, the decision is a disappointment, adding, "Unfortunately, I think a fine doctor is being put out to pasture and that the community receives a disservice by him not being able to continue to save lives."

Midei has 30 days to file an appeal on the decision.  He can reapply for his medical license in another two years.

Several patients have filed civil lawsuits against Midei.  Midei has filed suit against St. Joseph Medical Center and its parent company, saying they falsely accused him of wrongdoing.