In a significant advancement for cardiac surgery in South India, the Madras Medical Mission & Institute (MMM), Chennai, successfully performed its first Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery in the early 1990s, marking the beginning of the institute’s legacy in advanced cardiothoracic surgery.
The procedure, carried out by a team of skilled cardiac surgeons under the leadership of Dr. K. M. Cherian, a pioneer in Indian cardiac surgery, involved bypassing blocked coronary arteries to restore normal blood flow to the heart muscle — a life-saving operation for patients with severe coronary artery disease.
The CABG surgery at MMM was performed using the conventional open-heart technique, where a healthy artery or vein from the patient’s body (usually the internal mammary artery or saphenous vein) was grafted to bypass the blocked coronary artery.
It was a major milestone for Tamil Nadu, as this established MMM as one of the earliest centers in the state to offer high-end cardiac surgical care on par with international standards.
- One of the first dedicated cardiac institutions in South India to successfully perform CABG.
- Helped build public trust in Indian cardiac surgical capabilities at a time when many patients sought such procedures abroad.
- Paved the way for further innovations in beating-heart surgery, pediatric cardiac care, and transplant surgery at the institute.
Dr. K. M. Cherian, who later founded Frontier Lifeline Hospital, reflected on the achievement saying:
“Our mission was not only to perform surgeries but to create a center of excellence in cardiac care for every Indian, regardless of socioeconomic status.”
Today, Madras Medical Mission is one of India’s most respected cardiac centers, with a global reputation in:
- Coronary bypass surgery
- Valve replacements
- Pediatric and adult congenital heart disease surgeries
- Cardiac transplantation and minimally invasive procedures
