Kochi: Dr K M Cherian, 82, who performed country’ first coronary artery bypass surgery succesfully,
passed away late Saturday, media reports said.
Dr Cherian collapsed late on Saturday evening while attending a private function in Bengaluru. He was rushed to Manipal Hospitals, where he was declared dead at 11.55pm, media reports quoting his daughter, Sandhya Cherian said.
Dr Cherian is known for performing
India’s first successful coronary artery bypass surgery in 1975.
Dr Cherian is credited is credited with performing the first heart transplant surgery following the legalization of brain death, as well as India’s first heart-lung transplant and pediatric heart transplant.
Dr Cherian served at Railway Hospital in Chennai, Vijaya Hospital and Madras Medical Mission among others.
It was Dr Cherian who founded Frontier Lifeline and the Dr. Cherian Heart Foundation.
Dr Cherian was a close associate of the late South African heart surgeon Christian Barnard, who performed the world’s first human-to-human heart transplant. Dr Cherian was the honorary surgeon to the President of India from 1990 to 1993.
Dr Cherian had received numerous awards, including the Padma Shri and the Harvard Medical Excellence Award in 2005.
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