Expenses recognized resulting from transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

SPECIAL CHARGES - Charitable Foundation Contribution (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Company contribution to the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation		$ 0.0	$ 0.0	$ 50.0
Contribution to the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation \| Edwards Lifesciences Foundation
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Company contribution to the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation	$ 50.0