The internationally renowned interventional cardiologist, Dr Mathew Samuel Kalarikkal has taken charge as the honorary director of the Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases (ICVD) at the Madras Medical Mission (MMC) hospital, Chennai.

However, he would continue to work with the Apollo Hospitals group where he has been associated for many years, and would be treating the outpatients on every Wednesday at MMC, clarified sources.

A Padmashri recipient, Dr Kalarikkal was the first Indian cardiologist to introduce various techniques like angioplasty, coronary stenting, rotablator and atherectomy in the country, and has performed over 5000 angioplasties in various Asian hospitals.

The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University conferred him with an honorary degree in Doctor of Science. He holds important training and teaching positions in different medical institutions, including the Fourth Military Medical University Xian, Shaaxi, China, said MMC sources.