4th lawsuit filed against Fresno heart surgeon

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A fourth lawsuit has been filed against a Fresno heart surgeon already battling multiple medical malpractice cases.

Dr. Pervaiz Chaudhry is accused of routinely leaving the operating room as well as substance abuse in the latest case. The suit claims Gregory Riddle died as a result of Chaudhry's mistakes during surgery.

Among the other cases involving the same doctor: the family of a 72-old-man claims Chaudhry left the operating room during surgery two years ago before the patient's chest was properly closed. He suffered severe blood loss, cardiac arrest and was placed on life support.