Maradona’s heart was ‘completely normal’ and death could not be predicted, court hears

A cardiologist has told the trial into Diego Armando Maradona’s death that the Argentina great died suddenly from an unpredictable cardiac event, challenging prosecution claims that he endured a prolonged period of suffering.

Seven members of Maradona’s medical team are accused of homicide with eventual intent. Prosecutors allege they knew their actions or failures could lead to the death of the former number 10 and that the fatal outcome could have been foreseen.

Appearing before the San Isidro court, cardiologist Ricardo Iglesias said Maradona had suffered an acute event caused by an abnormal heart rhythm.

“Maradona suffered an acute event due to an arrhythmia, and that is why he died,” Iglesias said. “Sudden acute events are unpredictable and there were no signs indicating an ending of this kind.”

His evidence directly contradicted testimony from prosecution experts, who previously said Maradona had experienced a lengthy deterioration and had been dying for hours because of untreated heart failure.

“The heart is completely normal. I do not find any evidence to support the existence of a prolonged dying process,” Iglesias told the court, rejecting the claim that Maradona had remained in that condition for 12 hours before his death.

Iglesias also said Maradona had no active heart disease in 2020. He argued that the heart condition linked to the former footballer’s drug use, which had caused a cardiac crisis in 2000, had made a “complete recovery” after Maradona stopped consuming drugs.

The cardiologist had joined a 2021 medical board which described the care Maradona received as “inadequate, deficient and reckless”. However, he signed the report in disagreement. He acknowledged that Maradona had been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in 2000 as a result of substance use, but maintained that the heart recovers once consumption stops.

Maradona died aged 60 on 25 November 2020 at a house in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires. His death was attributed to cardiorespiratory arrest associated with acute pulmonary oedema following head surgery.

On the disputed home care provided after his hospital discharge, Iglesias placed responsibility with the prepaid medical company and said the treating team’s actions had been reasonable. He noted that Maradona had not been prescribed any cardiac medication when he left hospital.

The defence also called clinical doctor Jose Antonio Maya, who gave evidence on behalf of lead defendant and neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque.

“Maradona underwent several surgical procedures, and cardiac assessments were carried out before each operation,” Maya said. “They established that his anaesthetic risk was ASA 2, which is moderate. He was not a patient at cardiac risk.”

The trial, which began in San Isidro in April, is entering its final and decisive stage. The seven defendants, including doctors, nurses and a psychiatrist, face sentences of up to 25 years in prison. All deny the charges.

Closing arguments for the 13 parties involved in the case – six prosecution teams and seven defence teams – are scheduled to begin on 8 October. A small number of witnesses are still due to give evidence before the proceedings conclude.