Marthanda Varma Sankaran Valiathan, Indian cardiac surgeon (Mavelikara, Kerala State 24 May 1934 –

Authored over 100 scientific papers, several book chapters and 3 books

Established the geochemical cause of endomyocardial fibrosis, i.e., cerium replaces magnesium in cardiac muscle due to deficiency of this element in poor children

With Vincent Gott discovered the thrombo-resistant property of surfaces coated sequentially with graphite, benzalkonium chloride and heparin (GBH)

DEVELOPED

Interventions to reduce the severity of tropical endomyocardial fibrosis

The first biomaterial to be made with wall-bonded heparin for clinical applications

A series of disposable devices such as hydrocephalus shunt, blood bag, oxygenator, cardiotomy reservoirs, vascular graft and a GBH-coated shunt for resecting aneurysms of the thoracic aorta

Chitra-TTK valve, a mechanical valve with a tilting disc design 

A technique for thoracic aortic bypass using a graphite, benzalkonium chloride and heparin coated shunt