Former Head of Cardiovascular Surgery
Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital & Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai
35
years of surgical excellence
16000
successful open-heart surgeries
3000
mitral valve repairs and replacements
2000
aortic valve replacements
200
left ventricular aneurysm operations
80
heart tumour removals with 100% success
When a heart case is deemed "too risky" or "inoperable," when families have exhausted every option, when time is running out—Dr. Pavan Kumar is the name that comes up.
Not because he's the easiest to find. But because he's the one who delivers.
The Reputation That Precedes Him
In Mumbai's medical circles, there's a quiet understanding: the most complex cardiac cases eventually find their way to Dr. Pavan Kumar. The ones with multiple failed surgeries. The hearts functioning at 20%. The patients told they have no options left.
This isn't an accident. It's 35 years of precision, judgment, and outcomes that speak louder than credentials.
16,000+ open-heart surgeries. Zero in-hospital mortality for consecutive years. A 99% success rate that isn't marketing—it's mathematics.
The nickname wasn't chosen. It was earned.
Earned through the 9-blockage cases that others declined. Through the redo surgeries on hearts scarred by previous operations. Through the high-risk patients with ejection fractions so low, most surgeons wouldn't take the liability.
Dr. Pavan Kumar doesn't just perform surgery. He restores futures. Returns fathers to their families. Gives grandmothers more years with their grandchildren. Turns medical death sentences into second chances.
The families who've sat in his consultation room don't talk about his degrees from AIIMS or his training in Sweden and London. They talk about how he looked them in the eye and said, "We can do this"—and then did.
After completing his super-specialization at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (1982-85), Dr. Pavan Kumar didn't just start practicing. He went where the best go to become exceptional
Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Mastering coronary bypass surgery and complex cardiac procedures where precision is measured in millimeters.
Harefield Hospital, London, UK
learning homograft surgery, pediatric cardiac surgery, and heart transplantation techniques that few Indian surgeons have been trained in.
He returned in 1988. India's cardiac surgery landscape hasn't been the same since.
In 1991, Dr. Pavan Kumar became one of the first surgeons in India to perform Bilateral Internal Mammary Artery (BIMA) coronary bypass surgery—a technique that significantly improves long-term outcomes but demands exceptional skill.
When a patient's ejection fraction drops below 25%, most surgeons see liability. Dr. Pavan Kumar sees opportunity. His track record with severely compromised hearts has made him the referral choice for cardiologists across Mumbai.
Diffuse coronary artery disease—where blockages spread throughout the vessels—requires a procedure so technically demanding that few surgeons in India perform it regularly. Dr. Pavan Kumar has made it a specialty.
Second heart surgeries carry exponentially higher risks. Scar tissue. Compromised anatomy. Previous failures. Yet families travel from across the world specifically for Dr. Pavan Kumar's expertise in redo CABG procedures.
Best Heart Surgeon in Mumbai (2024)
(2024) - Presented by Mahesh Manjrekar
(2023)
(2023) - Outstanding Heart Surgeon of the Year
(2023) - Best Doctor Mumbai
(2022) - Excellence in Heart Surgery
(2022) - Most Trusted Cardiac Surgeon, Maharashtra
10 Prestigious Awards. Not for potential but for proven performance.
My father had nine blockages. Three hospitals, three refusals. Dr. Pavan Kumar didn't just say yes—he gave us confidence. Four months post-surgery, my father is back at work. The surgery was flawless. The recovery plan was perfect. The man has magic in his hands."
They told us my mother's heart was too weak for surgery. 22% ejection fraction. Dr. Kumar said, 'I've done this before. We'll be fine.' He was right. She's living independently again. That's not just skill—that's courage and conviction.
We flew in from Dubai after being told the risks were too high. Dr. Pavan Kumar operated. Zero complications. We're back home. Our father is alive. That's all that matters.
I must say Dr. Pavan Kumar is a GODFATHER for me . Most senior & cooperative Doctor. I am lucky to get operated by him for my heart Bypass Surgery in 2011. Now it is 11 years follow up with him. I am fine doing all my work I travel alone to my native place enjoying my life in better way after my Bypass Surgery. I Thank you Dr. Pavan Kumar from bottom of my heart.
My father's bypass surgery was done by Pavan sir in 2020 and till date he has no complication and leading a normal daily lifestyle. I am really grateful to Pavan sir for always guiding us for small small doubts and especially when my father was COVID positive in the 2nd wave in Bihar. Sir was always available and ready to guide us on call and video consultation. Must say, he is the best cardiac surgeon in India.Thank you so much Pavan sir and his team.
Indeed, the most treasured of the Doctors I have been privileged to meet. Dr Pavan Kumarhas treated me and my husband like a family member.Prithvi, my husband had undergone a bypass surgery on 7th June 2020. It was a really complicated surgery since he had chronic high blood pressure too but everything went well and now I am super thrilled. I must have had 4 meetings with Dr. Pavan Kumar and I want to mention that I never had to wait long to be seen, and as I explain my concerns to him, I feel like he listens and I don't feel like I'm being rushed out of the OPD.
Feeling great to meet Dr. Pavan Kumar who is like a GOD for my family. My father Amarbahadur Chauhan had a sever heart attack with high diabetes seven months back for which angiograpy reports shows 4 vessels blockages in heart . My father undergon Bypass heart surgery by Dr. Pavan Kumar in Mumbai at Lilavati Hospital now my father is fine his heart function is improve 100%. Me & my family take this opportunity to thank you Dr. Pavan Kumar.
Good Afternoon , Mr. murlidhar Menon my husband having diabetes, Hypertension, Asthama with this he had heart coronary disease 4 years back for which he undergone coronary Bypass Surgery for four vessels by Dr. Pavan Kumar - well-known heart surgeon from Lilavati Hospital,Mumbai ,India . My husband manages himself verywell his routine, medications. Now it is 4 years follow up . We are very happy with surgery & surgeon.I Thank you Dr. Pavan Kumar & GOD for the timely help.
I Am Kiran Rokade age 50 years .I had a very big whole in my heart which was not possible to close by umbrella device, so I underwent ASD closure open heart operation by Dr. pavan Kumar , Senior heart surgeon from Mumbai at Lilavati Hospital in 2016 . Six years back . I am very happy with my surgery I am fit and fine every year I meet Dr. Pavan Kumar and Dr Pavan says my heart is normal I am doing my all activities normally. I am very thankful to Dr .Pavan Kumar. GOD bless him.
Trust that the surgeon across from you has seen your exact situation before—and succeeded.
Trust that when complications arise mid-surgery, experience will guide the right decisions.
Trust that you're not a number, but a life that matters.
Dr. Pavan Kumar has built that trust 16,000 times over.
Not through advertising. Through outcomes.
Not through promises. Through precision.
Not through hype. Through hands that families call the safest in Mumbai.
When your heart—or your loved one's heart—needs surgery, you don't want the surgeon with the best marketing. You want the surgeon other surgeons call.
That surgeon is Dr. Pavan Kumar.
35, Dr. E, Dr Ernest Borges Rd, opp. Shirodkar High School, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400012 INDIA
Raheja Rugnalaya Marg, Mahim West, Mahim, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400016 INDIA
SV Rd, Lohana Colony, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400058 INDIA
Because when it comes to your heart, "good enough" isn't an option.
