A biopsy performed on a leukaemia sufferer from South Staffordshire contributed to her death at a Wolverhampton hospital, an inquest has heard.

A blood vessel was ruptured during a biopsy on Margaret Moran.

The 76-year-old, of Foster Green in Perton, had been diagnosed with acute myloid leukaemia two months prior to her death on December 30, 2009, and had received chemotherapy at New Cross Hospital.

Wolverhampton coroner Richard Allen yesterday recorded a narrative verdict.

A narrative verdict records the circumstances without attributing the cause to a named individual.

He said Mrs Moran died as a result of a ruptured wall blood vessel that had been compromised by a tumour, adding: “The biopsy carried out that day was a contributory factor.”

The biopsy was carried out after a CT scan indicated a blockage in part of the widow’s respiratory tract, the inquest at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

A subsequent test carried out on December 30 confirmed the blockage that was believed to be a mass or tumour.

A biopsy was recommended and carried out the same day by Dr Tosia Nisar, under supervision from Dr Paul Dawkins, it was said.

The inquest heard Mrs Moran began to bleed heavily following the start of the biopsy and the procedure was stopped.

Dr Dawkins took over and was said to have carried out “strenuous efforts to stem the bleeding.”

But the bleeding continued and the pensioner lost consciousness, followed by respiratory arrest and then cardiac arrest.

Mrs Moran was originally born in Edinburgh and married to late husband Bernard Moran.

A neighbour and close friend, Clare Gilbert-Haq, aged 38, said today: “I knew Margaret well and she was a lovely neighbour. If she was ill I would get her prescriptions for her and she would do the same for me.”

New Cross Hospital said today it was not commenting on the matter at the request of the family.