Jean-Pierre Bassand is Emeritus Professor of Cardiology at the University of Franche-Comté in Besançon, France. His clinical research interests are in the fields of the diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolic disease and coronary artery disease, more specifically acute coronary syndromes. Professor Bassand completed his medical education at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Franche-Comté. He was appointed Associate Professor of Cardiology in 1980 and Full Professor at the University of Franche-Comté, and Chairman of the Department of Cardiology, in 1992. He was made a fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and of the American College of Cardiology in 1990, and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Glasgow) in 2007. He has served as a member of the board of the ESC for 10 years, and between 2002 and 2004 he served as the society’s president. Professor Bassand was awarded the American College of Cardiology Maseri Florio Prize in 2009. He has also authored or co-authored more than 200 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, including three ESC guidelines on the management of acute coronary syndromes and pulmonary embolism.