Ahmedabad: The two patients who died following angioplasty procedures at Khyati Hospital in Bodakdev had succumbed to "severe cardiac arrest", according to the post-mortem reports. The deceased, identified as Nagar Senma, 72, and Mahesh Barot, 52, from Borisana village in Mehsana's Kadi taluka, underwent the procedures on Nov 11.
The postmortem reports found no physical injuries on either patient, with cardiac arrest listed as the sole cause of death. A senior police official said that viscera samples have been sent for detailed forensic analysis.
Dr Prashant Vazirani, the cardiologist who has been arrested, had performed seven angioplasties and 19 angiographies single-handedly that day. Police have filed three FIRs charging Dr Vazirani, hospital director Kartik Patel, CEO Chirag Rajput, and promoters Dr Sanjay Patoliya and Dr Rajshree Kothari with culpable homicide and criminal conspiracy.
Inspector L L Chavda of Vastrapur police confirmed the development and said they conducted searches at Vazirani's house and offices to find evidence in the case. Dr Vazirani, who was registered under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), received Rs 1,500 per angioplasty and Rs 800 per angiography.
A seven-member special committee that probed the case had noted that none of the patients had prior heart-related conditions. It is based on the committee's findings that an FIR was registered at Vastrapur police station.
Assistance of expert cardiologist sought
During questioning, the doctor claimed he had performed hundreds of angioplasties previously with no casualties except these two recent deaths.
Given the medical complexity of the case, police have requested the state govt to assign an expert to assist with the investigation. "We need a cardiologist's help to understand medical jargon and the technicalities that led to these fatalities. We have written to the state govt seeking the assistance of an expert cardiologist in the case," a police official said.