In Memoriam: Alain Cribier, MD, FACC, TAVR Pioneer

The DAIC team has learned of the passing of Alain Cribier, MD, FACC, heralded as the man who pioneered the first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in 2002, as well as the first transcatheter mitral commissurotomy in 1995 and the first balloon aortic valvuloplasty in 1986. He passed away Feb. 16, 2024 at the age of 79.

Cribier obtained his medical degree from the University of Paris, where he completed his early residency training. In 1972, he began his cardiology residency at the University of Rouen, and in 1976 spent a year in an interventional cardiology fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Hospital is Los Angeles.

"A true visionary has passed," said ACC President B. Hadley Wilson, MD, FACC, on the American College of Cardiology (ACC) website. "From the first days of balloon aortic valvuloplasty nearly 40 years ago, through the first-in-man TAVR 20 years ago, until today where TAVR is now the standard of care, Dr. Cribier always remained humble and committed to his colleagues and the betterment of patient care. The field of cardiology is forever changed because of his vision, leadership and persistence."

The European Society of Cardiology stated on its website, "Alain Cribier was awarded the ESC Gold Medal in 2016 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to cardiology, having developed new interventional technologies for the treatment of valvular heart diseases: Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty in 1985, Mitral Commissurotomy in 1994, and after 15 years of research, the Transcatheter Implantation of Aortic Valves (TAVI), performing the first world case in Rouen, France in 2002. This last breakthrough technology, now widely used throughout the world, changed the face of medical practice. Alain Cribier was a giant in his field, and he combined his great expertise with a touching kindness and modesty. We have lost a friend, a scientist, clinician, mentor and above all an outstanding personality whose legacy continues to save lives every day."