Dr. Mathew Samuel Kalarickal, a pioneer of interventional cardiology, has passed away on April 18, 2025, in Chennai, at the age of 77, marking an end to an era in coronary angioplasty and stenting technology. Popularly known as the 'Father of Angioplasty in India,' Dr. Kalarickal transformed heart care, changing the lives of thousands of patients and redefining the face of contemporary interventional cardiology.Born on January 6, 1948, in Kerala, Dr. Kalarickal's journey to becoming one of the world's most renowned cardiologists was set early in life. After completing his medical studies at Kottayam Medical College, he went on to pursue specialization in cardiology from Chennai but his stint in the United States of America, under the guidance of Dr. Andreas Gruentzig—the man universally accepted as the 'Father of Coronary Angioplasty'—would establish the foundation for his groundbreaking career.Dr. Kalarickal's return to India in 1985 proved to be turning point. Coronary angioplasty was a new, unexplored area in India at that time, and one that fell behind progress in the U.S. and Europe. Sensing this lacuna, Dr. Kalarickal chose to introduce this revolutionary procedure to India, with a vision of making lifesaving heart procedures reach more people.First Angioplasty in IndiaIn 1986, Dr. Kalarickal performed the very first angioplasty in India, a process which would subsequently alter the direction of heart treatment in the country. Angioplasty at that time was not a widely known procedure in India, and coronary artery disease was on the rise. During the first year, he had only treated 18 patients. But by 1987, that figure had risen to 150, an unmistakable indicator of both the increasing demand for this life-saving operation and the confidence that patients had in Dr. Kalarickal's skills.His success in India did not remain confined to its borders, Dr. Kalarickal played a key role in setting up angioplasty centers in various nations in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. His relentless efforts to educate and train physicians in these nations helped ensure that this new technique spread like wildfire, eventually saving countless lives and making heart procedures more available worldwide.Role of Dr. Kalarickal in Expanding Angioplasty GloballyDr. Kalarickal's role was not just to bring angioplasty to India and the rest of the region. As an innovator, he was a pioneer in bringing new innovations to the world of angioplasty and stenting. One of his greatest feats was becoming the first Indian cardiologist to introduce and practice the application of drug-eluting bio-absorbable stents, which improved the efficacy of angioplasty by a large margin and minimized the threat of re-blockage in coronary arteries.Having done more than 10,000 angioplasties, Dr. Kalarickal's expertise and commitment to improving heart health were second to none. He also contributed significantly to academia, establishing the National Angioplasty Registry of India, through which data on angioplasty operations could be gathered and analyzed to streamline and enhance practice nationwide. His contributions had an effect on the medical fraternity and made him a mentor to numerous budding cardiologists in India and overseas.Dr. Kalarickal's success was not limited to the operating room. His leadership positions in major medical societies demonstrate his reputation as a world leader in interventional cardiology. He was president of the Asian-Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology from 1995 to 1997 and then went on to chair the Asian-Pacific Society of Cardiology section of Interventional Cardiology between 1995 and 1999. His presidency in these societies promoted the use of angioplasty and stenting procedures around the world and consolidated the group of cardiologists in Asia.His work was duly appreciated in many awards and honors. Dr. Kalarickal received the esteemed Padma Shri award in 2000, one of the highest civilian awards in India, for his outstanding work in cardiology. He was also awarded the Dr. B.C. Roy Award in 1996 for his notable contributions to medicine, the Doctor of Science Award by Dr. M.G.R. University in 2003, and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.While Dr. Kalarickal was well-known for his medical knowledge, he was as much admired for being a mentor. Dr. Sai Satish, who is a senior interventional cardiologist in Chennai, was trained by Dr. Kalarickal and collaborated with him for more than two decades. Talking about his experiences during his mentor's time, Dr. Satish stated, "There will never be another Dr. Mathew Samuel Kalarickal in my life.". He taught me in ways that few people ever managed, and I will miss him every time I enter a cath lab." This is a sentiment shared by many other cardiologists who were fortunate enough to learn from him. His dedication to educating and empowering the future generation of heart doctors has left an invaluable legacy on the specialty of cardiology.Dr. Kalarickal's contributions have saved thousands of lives, and his legacy will never be lost in the profession of interventional cardiology. His vision, commitment, and pioneering attitude have revolutionized heart disease treatment in India and across the globe. With the advent of angioplasty, he revolutionized the procedure that used to be an extremely invasive and dangerous one and turned it into a routine, life-saving one.How Angioplasty Saves Your Heart?Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to open up narrowed or blocked coronary arteries due to a buildup of fatty plaques. Plaque buildup in the arteries over time can limit blood supply to the heart, resulting in angina (chest pain) or even heart attacks. Angioplasty is done to relieve these blockages, restore normal blood flow, and prevent heart-related complications. But in what way precisely does angioplasty save the heart?While undergoing angioplasty, a catheter is inserted into the clogged artery with a balloon at the end. The catheter is advanced through the bloodstream with great caution until it enters the area where the blockage is. Having reached its destination, the balloon is inflated, pushing the plaque against the artery walls, effectively opening up the artery and reinstating blood circulation to the heart. In most instances, a tiny mesh tube known as a stent is also inserted to keep the artery open and prevent it from closing again.Angioplasty can be carried out in patients with different types of coronary artery disease, such as patients who have experienced heart attacks, those with chronic angina, and those at high risk for cardiac events due to plaque deposition. Angioplasty is commonly carried out on patients who are not ideal candidates for standard open-heart surgery.Instant Relief and Long-term AdvantagesPerhaps the greatest benefit of angioplasty is the relief that it brings promptly to the patient. Post-procedure, patients can notice dramatically decreased symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, and tiredness, all typical with clogged arteries. The normalization of blood flow tends to keep the heart from working as hard and lowers the risk of heart attacks.In the long run, angioplasty ensures that the heart is not subjected to further harm by providing it with a sufficient supply of oxygenated blood. This is particularly vital in individuals suffering from coronary artery disease because continuous blood flow is crucial to maintaining heart muscle health. Angioplasty can greatly eliminate the risk of heart failure, heart attack, or stroke by opening up clogged arteries. Also, the procedure has been demonstrated to enhance quality of life in general, since patients are frequently able to resume normal activities following the procedure without the restrictions created by chest pain and other symptoms.