Maradona doctors missed renal warning signs, court hears

Argentina’s former football legend Diego Maradona has become the subject of a second legal proceeding in Buenos Aires, where prosecutors are alleging that the doctors who attended him in the months leading up to his death on November 25, 2020, failed to recognise and act upon critical warning signs. The trial, which began this week, focuses on the medical team’s handling of Maradona’s chronic health issues, including a history of heart disease and the use of a stent that had been placed in 2019. According to the indictment, the physicians neglected to monitor the patient’s cardiac function closely enough and did not provide adequate follow‑up after the stent was removed, thereby contributing to the fatal heart attack that ultimately claimed the icon’s life.

The court hearing has seen testimony from former teammates, medical staff, and independent cardiology experts who argue that the standard of care was not met. A key point of contention is the alleged omission of routine electrocardiograms and echocardiograms that could have detected arrhythmias or structural heart problems. While the defense maintains that Maradona’s condition was complicated by his advanced age and prior surgeries, the prosecution contends that the doctors’ oversight directly influenced the outcome. The case is expected to continue over the next several weeks, with a verdict pending.