Dr. Antonio Colombo
“A Genius”: Crush, Crush!
Dr. Antonio Colombo (Italy) is the Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at EMO GVM Centro Cuore Columbus in Milan, known for his pioneering contributions to coronary interventions, especially stenting techniques using IVUS. He developed the “Crush” technique for bifurcation lesion PCI, improving procedural outcomes. With over 1,000 publications, his work has earned numerous prestigious awards, including the TCT Career Achievement Award (1998), PCR Ethica Award (2010), the “Master of the Masters” Award at TCTAP (2013), and the F. Mason Sones Distinguished Service Award (2024).
You have been, without any doubt, a pioneer in the field of interventional cardiology. You have a real mentor and a teacher, not only professionally, but also in personal aspect. And what I learned from you is that apart from talent, what is really important is persistence in what to do. (Alaide Chieffo) I have learned one thing about you over the years. That is, we have to pay attention to what you say. Antonio, congratulations on this very significant and important honor. (Spencer B. King III) I can remember you sitting in the back of the auditorium and when discussion time came you ran down to the front and sat on the front steps so that you could be part of the dialogue with Jeff Hartzler at that time. From then on you became a real leader in the field of interventional cardiology. Congratulations, Antonio. It’s really richly deserved. You became an icon of interventional cardiology. (Barry D. Rutherford) Antonio Colombo is the ambassador of interventional cardiology throughout the world. He has the unique capacity for being a brilliant technical interventional cardiologist, a very rigorous and thoughtful academician but also has an unusual creative spirit which allows him to challenge conventions and come up with new ways to treat patients with complex diseases. (Martin Bert Leon) Throughout his whole career, he has been a zestful person. I can remember a talk that I saw him give where it was a live case to where all of a sudden, then he talked with a patient on the table who then broke into an Italian opera. And it was zesty experience watching Antonio related to the patient on the table singing an Italian opera. It’s great pleasure to know him, to work with him, and to continue to learn with him, from him and along with him. (David R. Holmes)
The piercing gaze of a wolfdog, White Fang, untamed and unyielding, mirrors the intense eyes of Antonio, both embodying strength, independence, and resilience. The animated film White Fang, inspired by Jack London’s novel, delves into themes of adaptation, rebellion, love, and survival. However, at its heart, it is a story of unbridled freedom, much like Antonio’s own unyielding spirit.
A memory that stands out is from about 10 years ago when I went skiing with Antonio in Yongpyong, Gangwon Province. While waiting in long lift lines, Antonio unexpectedly took off his skis, slung them over his shoulder, and started walking up the slope. I followed, but it was exhausting, and I was out of breath. Antonio, despite his age, was completely unfazed, and I was truly amazed by his strength.
Dr. Antonio Colombo (Italy) is the Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at EMO GVM Centro Cuore Columbus in Milan, known for his pioneering contributions to coronary interventions, especially stenting techniques using IVUS. He developed the “Crush” technique for bifurcation lesion PCI, improving procedural outcomes. With over 1,000 publications, his work has earned numerous prestigious awards, including the TCT Career Achievement Award (1998), PCR Ethica Award (2010), the “Master of the Masters” Award at TCTAP (2013), and the F. Mason Sones Distinguished Service Award (2024).
You have been, without any doubt, a pioneer in the field of interventional cardiology. You have a real mentor and a teacher, not only professionally, but also in personal aspect. And what I learned from you is that apart from talent, what is really important is persistence in what to do. (Alaide Chieffo) I have learned one thing about you over the years. That is, we have to pay attention to what you say. Antonio, congratulations on this very significant and important honor. (Spencer B. King III) I can remember you sitting in the back of the auditorium and when discussion time came you ran down to the front and sat on the front steps so that you could be part of the dialogue with Jeff Hartzler at that time. From then on you became a real leader in the field of interventional cardiology. Congratulations, Antonio. It’s really richly deserved. You became an icon of interventional cardiology. (Barry D. Rutherford) Antonio Colombo is the ambassador of interventional cardiology throughout the world. He has the unique capacity for being a brilliant technical interventional cardiologist, a very rigorous and thoughtful academician but also has an unusual creative spirit which allows him to challenge conventions and come up with new ways to treat patients with complex diseases. (Martin Bert Leon) Throughout his whole career, he has been a zestful person. I can remember a talk that I saw him give where it was a live case to where all of a sudden, then he talked with a patient on the table who then broke into an Italian opera. And it was zesty experience watching Antonio related to the patient on the table singing an Italian opera. It’s great pleasure to know him, to work with him, and to continue to learn with him, from him and along with him. (David R. Holmes)
The piercing gaze of a wolfdog, White Fang, untamed and unyielding, mirrors the intense eyes of Antonio, both embodying strength, independence, and resilience. The animated film White Fang, inspired by Jack London’s novel, delves into themes of adaptation, rebellion, love, and survival. However, at its heart, it is a story of unbridled freedom, much like Antonio’s own unyielding spirit.
A memory that stands out is from about 10 years ago when I went skiing with Antonio in Yongpyong, Gangwon Province. While waiting in long lift lines, Antonio unexpectedly took off his skis, slung them over his shoulder, and started walking up the slope. I followed, but it was exhausting, and I was out of breath. Antonio, despite his age, was completely unfazed, and I was truly amazed by his strength.