A mum-of-three has died while undergoing a non-surgical treatment for cellulite and stretch marks made her heart explode, according to her grieving family.
The brother of Claudia Bertoldi said his sister had been having carboxytherapy, a non-surgical cosmetic treatment during which infused carbon dioxide is injected into the skin, which caused the fatal reaction.
Popular with celebrities the treatment is claimed to promote blood flow and increase the skin’s elasticity to reduce the appearance of cellulitis and treat stretch marks.
Claudio Bertoldi said on Sunday the 45-year-old, who he said had “spectacular health and an enormous vitality”, was being treated as an unnamed clinic in Concordia, Argentina, when she died.
He told local broadcaster Canal 5 Noticias (C5N) that he has reported the clinic to authorities for malpractice claiming his sister died because staff made the "fatal error" of giving her carbon dioxide intravenously which made her heart explode.
He also claimed workers at the clinic were not trained to carry out the procedure and it should have been done by a specialist.
Ms Bertoldi’s brother who has reported the centre for malpractice and an investigation is underway.
An autopsy report is expected to determine the cause of Claudia's death this week.
Her heartbroken brother said he believes it will say she died after carbon dioxide was introduced into a vein which instantly killed her when it reached her heart.
According to local newspaper MinutoUno computers, security camera footage, equipment used in the procedure, agendas and other items of interest have been seized by investigators.
Claudio says the death has “ruined a family” and left her three children aged five, 12 and 21 without a mum.
