Dr. MS Valiathan, a renowned cardiac surgeon and innovator, passed away at the age of 90.
Dr. Valiathan is celebrated for his development of a cost-effective mechanical heart valve, a project initiated out of necessity as he operated on patients with limited government funding. As the founding director of the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) and the inaugural Vice-Chancellor of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), he exemplified how innovation can overcome significant challenges.
SCTIMST, the institution he established, continues to uphold his legacy of biomedical innovation, supported by the Department of Science and Technology. Dr. Ranjan Shetty, head of interventional cardiology at Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, recalled, “I remember Dr. Valiathan sketching various designs for a mechanical valve to replace damaged ones. His creation at the Sree Chitra Institute became one of the first indigenous medical devices in India, providing an affordable and effective solution for patients with rheumatic valve disease—a condition where heart valves are damaged by rheumatic fever and infection. Dr. Valiathan was a pioneer in this research in India. He meticulously designed the valve from scratch and, after numerous trials faced issues with the material’s longevity, he innovatively used a material from spacecraft. Additionally, he developed vascular grafts and blood bags designed to prevent blood clotting. These innovations remain commercially available and continue to benefit patients”.
Dr. Valiathan also had a profound interest in Ayurveda, viewing it as a complementary science. To delve deeper into traditional knowledge, he learned Sanskrit and authored three textbooks on Ayurveda in English. Dr. Vivek Pillai, head of cardiac surgery at SCTIMST, stated, “He was always fascinated by the science behind Ayurveda and was working on developing an Ayurvedic therapy for heart failure.” As reported by indianexpress.com, through his multifaceted contributions,
Dr. Valiathan has left an enduring impact on medical science and patient care in India.