In remembrance of Alain Cribier

Our most heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues and loved ones of Alain Cribier who passed away on 16 February 2024.

It is with great sadness that PCR and the interventional cardiology community learnt of the death of Professor Alain Cribier, pioneer in the non-invasive treatment of valvular disease, superb doctor and professor of medicine and great humanist whose concern and care for his patients went beyond any invention, no matter how revolutionary.

Alain Cribier exemplified the best of what it means to be a doctor, striving continually to develop techniques and methods that would improve the lives of his patients. It was this commitment to his patients – which he never lost sight of – that led him to create the transcatheter aortic valve, successfully implanting the first one in a human with Helene Eltchaninoff more than 20 years ago and thus ushering in with this first TAVI a revolution in the less invasive treatment of valvular diseases. Before his groundbreaking work, the millions suffering from calcified aortic stenosis could only be treated by a heavy surgical procedure, leaving the vast and frail majority condemned to a limited life and life expectancy. Today, the results of his work can be seen in the thousands of cath labs worldwide and count more than several million patients successfully treated who otherwise would have continued to face diminished lives.

In 2003, in honour of this achievement, he received the Andreas Grüntzig Ethica Award, the highest honour given out by PCR to recognise and celebrate those who have made outstanding contributions to interventional procedures and patient care.

A passion for education

Born in 1945, Professor Alain Cribier remained an active player and education in the cardiology community through his 70s and until the time of his death, establishing the Rouen Medical Training Center, a medical simulation training center that ensured the foundations he created would be further strengthened through disciplined clinical education and proctoring.

Alain Cribier was a true gentleman, a kind-hearted and generous person, who endeared himself to his colleagues, his patients and all those he came into contact with. We join with the generation of specialists that he educated – and with the thousands of patients throughout the world that he cared for and treated so well – to offer our most profound condolences to his family and closest collaborators.

The life and work of Professor Alain Cribier stands as a testimony to all that is good in medicine, and he will remain as an inspiration for generations to come.