Dr. K. R. Balakrishnan

Dr. K. R. Balakrishnan is a globally renowned cardiothoracic and transplant surgeon with over 40 years of clinical excellence. He is a pioneer in heart and lung transplantation in India and has led some of the country’s most complex cardiac procedures. His expertise spans end-stage heart failure management, paediatric cardiac surgery, ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation, and combined heart-lung transplantation.

Dr. Balakrishnan has been instrumental in establishing India’s first comprehensive heart failure management program and is credited with performing the country’s first permanent artificial heart transplant using the HeartMate II LVAD. He has also co-invented the dual poppet heart valve in collaboration with Dr. Albert Starr, holding a U.S. patent for the innovation.

He is an esteemed member of the Indian Medical Association and has contributed extensively to medical literature through publications and presentations at national and international forums.

• MBBS – Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry (1976)
• MS (General Surgery) – All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi (1980)
• MCh (Cardiothoracic Surgery) – King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, Mumbai (1982)​

• End-stage heart failure
• Congenital heart diseases (e.g., TAPVR, AV canal defects)
• Coronary artery disease
• Valvular heart diseases
• Aortic aneurysms and dissections
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Lung failure requiring transplantation

• Aortic Aneurysm Repair
• ASD Closure Surgery
• Atherectomy Surgery
• Balloon Valvuloplasty
• Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
• Heart Transplant
• Heart Valve Replacement
• Left Ventricular Assist Device LVAD
• Lung Transplant
• Mitral Valve Replacement (MVR)
• VSD Closure Surgery
• Aortic root replacement and Ross procedure
• Congenital heart defect repairs
• Cardiac pacing and ablation

• Hiralal Gold Medal – for excellence in surgery
• Best Doctor Award – Government of Tamil Nadu (2017)
• FICCI Special Jury Award (2017)
• Double Helical National Health Award (2017)