A Legend of Indian Cardiology Bids Farewell
Dr. Mathew Kalarickal: India’s Father of Angioplasty Passes Away at 77: India’s medical community lost a visionary with the passing of Dr. Mathew Samuel Kalarickal, widely regarded as the Father of Angioplasty in India. He died on April 18, 2025, in Chennai at the age of 77, after a brief illness. His groundbreaking contribution in introducing angioplasty in 1986 marked a revolution in India’s approach to treating heart diseases. His passing is not just a personal loss but a national moment of remembrance for a man who changed the landscape of cardiac care.
A Trailblazer in Heart Treatment
Dr. Kalarickal made history by performing India’s first angioplasty on 18 patients in 1986. At a time when open-heart surgery was the dominant option, he introduced minimally invasive techniques that offered faster recovery and fewer complications. Over the years, he didn’t stop at national boundaries. He helped expand angioplasty procedures across Asia-Pacific nations, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, cementing his legacy as a global cardiac innovator.
Academic Roots and Mentorship Abroad
Born on January 6, 1948, in Kerala, Dr. Kalarickal pursued his medical degree at Kottayam Medical College. His quest for excellence took him to the United States, where he trained under Dr. Andreas Gruentzig, the internationally revered Father of Interventional Cardiology. Upon returning to India in 1985, he dedicated himself to bridging the healthcare gap, ensuring that world-class heart treatment became accessible to Indian patients.
Recognition and Leadership Across Borders
Dr. Kalarickal’s excellence earned him some of the nation’s highest medical honors, including the Padma Shri in 2000, the Dr. B.C. Roy Award in 1996, and a Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in 2003. He also served as the President of the Asian-Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology between 1995 and 1997, underscoring his influence beyond Indian shores. His legacy lives on through the thousands of cardiologists he mentored and the millions of patients his work impacted.
Static GK Snapshot for Exams
Dr. Mathew Kalarickal: India’s Father of Angioplasty Passes Away at 77:
| Topic | Details |
| Full Name | Dr. Mathew Samuel Kalarickal |
| Date of Death | April 18, 2025 |
| Known As | Father of Angioplasty in India |
| First Angioplasty in India | 1986 |
| Birthplace | Kerala, India |
| Education | Kottayam Medical College; Trained under Dr. Andreas Gruentzig (USA) |
| Global Contribution | Developed angioplasty in 6 Asia-Pacific countries |
| Key Awards | Padma Shri (2000), Dr. B.C. Roy Award (1996), DSc (Honoris Causa) |
| Leadership Role | President, Asian-Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology (1995–1997) |
