Maestro of angioplasty in India, Dr Mathew Samuel Kalarickal passes away at 77

Renowned cardiologist and pioneer of angioplasty in India, Dr Mathew Samuel Kalarickal passed away in Chennai at the age of 77. Known as the doyen of angioplasty, Dr Kalarickal was active in facilitating coronary angioplasty, coronary stenting and rotablator atherectomy in the country.

Early life and career

Born on January 6, 1948, Dr Kalarickal graduated from Kottayam Medical College and pursued his MD from Stanley Medical College, Chennai, followed by a DM in Cardiology from Madras Medical College. 

Influenced by the works of Andreas Roland Gruentzig, widely known as the Father of Interventional Cardiology, Dr Kalarickal reached out to him and went to Zurich for training and later accompanied him to the U.S.

His career spanned in several countries including India, the United States and Indonesia. He worked as a cardiology consultant in Jakarta and then moved to Muscat before joining Apollo Hospitals in Chennai where he performed the country’s first coronary angioplasty.

He went on to develop bioresorbable stents. These stents can provide temporary support to the vessel before being absorbed by the body, as per ScienceDirect. He was the founder of the National Angioplasty Registry of India – a forum for cardiologists to streamline ideas and learn from each other.

Dr Kalarickal’s pioneering work in the field of cardiology earned him several awards including Padma Shri in 2000, Dr B.C Roy award in 1996 and the Doctor of Science award from MGR University in 2003.

Death and legacy

Dr Mathew Samuel Kalarickal passed away on April 18, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and innovation in the field of cardiology. His groundbreaking contributions to the medical field have been instrumental in saving several lives. Dr Kalarickal will be remembered as the Father of Angioplasty in India. His life and work serve as a testament to the power of innovation and dedication in the field of medicine.

 

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