SURGEONS who carried out a heart bypass on a man who died days later were right to do so, an inquest heard.

Doctors at South Cleveland Hospital (now the James Cook University Hospital) in Middlesbrough, operated on Kevin Hall after he was found to have an infected heart valve, which was causing him breathlessness.

Although the surgery was deemed a success, the 43-year-old project manager, of Westbrooke Grove, Hartlepool, died six days later, on November 30, 2000.

Consultant pathologist Jonathan Hoffman told Teesside Coroner's Court that Mr Hall had had a heart attack about a week before the surgery and died of severe coronary artery disease.

The valve replacement operation was for a completely separate illness and had not contributed to his death.

"The replacement valve had been inserted correctly and the effect would be undoubtedly considerably beneficial," said Mr Hoffman.

Coroner Michael Sheffield recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.