All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has constituted a committee to conduct a detailed inquiry into the clinical course and circumstances surrounding the death of a 15-year-old girl from Kota, who was undergoing treatment at the institute for a complex congenital heart condition. The committee will review the sequence of events, clinical records and treatment provided, while the final conclusions will be based on its findings and the autopsy report.
Girl Was Diagnosed With Complex Congenital Heart Condition in 2012
According to AIIMS, the girl was first evaluated at the Cardiology OPD on October 10, 2012, when she was diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) with Pulmonary Atresia. The condition is a complex congenital cardiac disorder in which the normal pathway for blood flow from the heart to the lungs is absent or severely interrupted.
Following the initial assessment, she was referred to the cardiac surgery team to determine whether surgical correction was possible. In 2013, she underwent detailed investigations using progressively advanced diagnostic modalities, including CT Angiography, Conventional Angiography and Cardiac Catheterisation, to assess her cardiac anatomy and evaluate the feasibility of corrective surgery.
After a comprehensive evaluation, the treating team concluded in 2017 that corrective cardiac surgery was not feasible because of the underlying cardiac anatomy and complexity of her condition. She was subsequently advised medical management and regular follow-up.
AIIMS said the family was informed about the clinical assessment, recommended management and possible prognosis.
Family Sought Further Opinions on Surgical Treatment
The family remained in contact with AIIMS over the following years and also sought further medical opinions regarding the possibility of surgical intervention.
As recently as last year, an opinion was obtained from the Head of the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS), who also advised continuation of medical management. The family subsequently consulted another senior cardiothoracic surgeon, who likewise recommended continuing medical management, AIIMS said.
The patient was brought back to AIIMS in August 2026 after her clinical condition deteriorated. She was admitted on August 24, 2026, and evaluated for the possibility of heart-lung transplantation in view of the advanced nature of her cardiac condition.
Patient Developed Severe Cyanosis and Cardiac Arrest
AIIMS said that in the early hours of September 1, 2026, at approximately 2:50 am, the girl developed sudden fatigue and weakness. This was followed by severe cyanosis, with her oxygen saturation falling to approximately 48%.
Oxygen support was initiated at around 3:30 am. Subsequently, the girl developed a hypoxic spell that led to cardiac arrest.
Despite immediate and sustained resuscitation efforts by the treating medical team, she could not be revived and was declared dead at 5:06 am, officials said.
An autopsy is currently underway. AIIMS said the findings will be considered along with the complete clinical records and other relevant evidence before any final conclusion is reached.
AIIMS Committee to Review Treatment and Circumstances of Death
AIIMS said it takes the concerns raised by the family seriously. The committee constituted by the Director will examine the complete sequence of events, clinical records, investigations, treatment provided, expert opinions and the circumstances surrounding the patient’s death.
The institute has said it will extend full cooperation to the committee and take appropriate action based on its findings.
AIIMS New Delhi expressed condolences to the bereaved family and reiterated its commitment to patient safety, transparency, evidence-based clinical decision-making and accountability.
The institute said it will await the findings of the constituted committee and the autopsy before drawing any final conclusions regarding the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.
Important Highlights
- AIIMS New Delhi has constituted a committee to investigate the death of a 15-year-old girl from Kota.
- She was diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect with Pulmonary Atresia in 2012.
- Corrective cardiac surgery was assessed as not feasible in 2017 due to the cardiac anatomy and complexity of the condition.
- She was admitted to AIIMS on August 24, 2026, after deterioration and was evaluated for heart-lung transplantation.
- She developed severe cyanosis and subsequently suffered cardiac arrest on September 1, 2026.
- AIIMS said final conclusions will be drawn after considering the committee’s findings and autopsy report.