<p>Chennai: Eminent cardiac surgeon Dr K M Cherian, who performed the country's first coronary artery bypass here about 50 years ago, has died, sources said on Sunday.</p>.<p>The city-based veteran, in his 80s, died in Bengaluru on Saturday after reportedly collapsing during a function.</p>.<p>Tributes and condolences poured in from various sections.</p>.<p>"It is with profound sadness that we mourn Padmashri Dr K.M. Cherian @kmcherian.....a true pioneer who performed the first coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) 50 years ago," Dr Rajesh Rajan, Chairman, Board of Governors, Indian Association of Clinical Cardiologists & President, Association of MD Physicians, said on 'X.' Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO scientist condoled Dr Cherian's demise.</p>.<p>"Deeply saddened to hear of Dr KM Cherian's passing. His memoir was just released & we had long conversations recently - about the future of innovation & health technology development in India. Certainly a source of inspiration to many, apart from the countless lives he saved! RIP," she wrote on the micro-blogging site.</p>.<p>Dr Cherian, who performed the country's first CABG, has won a number of awards, including the prestigious Padma Shri and had founded the city-based 'Frontier Lifeline'.</p>.<p>A number of medical professionals and others condoled Cherian's passing away, hailing him as a pioneer of heart surgery.</p>
<p>Chennai: Eminent cardiac surgeon Dr K M Cherian, who performed the country's first coronary artery bypass here about 50 years ago, has died, sources said on Sunday.</p>.<p>The city-based veteran, in his 80s, died in Bengaluru on Saturday after reportedly collapsing during a function.</p>.<p>Tributes and condolences poured in from various sections.</p>.<p>"It is with profound sadness that we mourn Padmashri Dr K.M. Cherian @kmcherian.....a true pioneer who performed the first coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) 50 years ago," Dr Rajesh Rajan, Chairman, Board of Governors, Indian Association of Clinical Cardiologists & President, Association of MD Physicians, said on 'X.' Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO scientist condoled Dr Cherian's demise.</p>.<p>"Deeply saddened to hear of Dr KM Cherian's passing. His memoir was just released & we had long conversations recently - about the future of innovation & health technology development in India. Certainly a source of inspiration to many, apart from the countless lives he saved! RIP," she wrote on the micro-blogging site.</p>.<p>Dr Cherian, who performed the country's first CABG, has won a number of awards, including the prestigious Padma Shri and had founded the city-based 'Frontier Lifeline'.</p>.<p>A number of medical professionals and others condoled Cherian's passing away, hailing him as a pioneer of heart surgery.</p>