EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 18, 2000 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, which appears in the Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Form 10/A-5 dated April 5, 2000. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Orange County, California December 20, 2000