FEBRUARY - MARCH 20259that synchronize the ventricles were developed to address patients suffering from heart failure. This development was very successful and received the highest recommendations from all the guidelines.The biggest innovation in pacemakers, however, happened 10 years ago, when, on December 5, 2013, our first leadless pacemaker was implanted. Two other companies had introduced leadless pacemakers before us but failed due to clinical and technical reasons.A leadless pacemaker is like a big pill, less than 1cc with a weight of less than 2 grams. It is entirely implanted within the heart, as compared to conventional pacemakers that are implanted in the chest region and connected to the heart with cables (leads).In my function as Medical Director, I had only one priority during the introduction of our leadless pacemaker: patient safety. We developed a very extensive training program, which included simulator-based training, implantation in animals, implantation in human cadavers, as well as online and in-class training. Only physicians with the appropriate experience could enter the training program. The introduction was slow because we wanted to learn and get experience with this new technology. The training program was regularly adapted based on these learnings.With now more than 200,000 leadless pacemakers implanted and 30,000 patients in clinical studies, we are able to prove the safety as well as the efficacy of this procedure.Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) got a lot of attention, and because our devices register and store a lot of digital data, this provides a huge opportunity. Our first application is in implantable cardiac monitors: using a deep neural network we are able to filter out around 90% of artefacts while keeping a high sensitivity. This will save the hospital, on average, 2 hours of review time per device per year, so 200 hours for a standard clinic with 100 devices. AI is a high priority for us, and I expect to see further applications soon.Early in my career, I read many business books, such as the Harvard Business Review and other non-fiction books. The book by Stephen Covey (The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People) especially helped me to find the right balance between work, family, friends, and hobbies, as well as how to effectively interact with people.I love my current role because I interact with very smart and often young, ambitious people within the company, with physicians who are the leaders in their field and with European professional societies.The mission that keeps me, as well as the other 90,000 employees in the company, motivated each day is to alleviate pain, restore health and extend life. Several consultants have told us that we are lucky to be in a company with such a mission. We are about applying our medical technology to improve the outcomes of patients.Given the incidence of cardiovascular disease, many of us will need or have a relative who needs a medical device. My father has had a pacemaker for 10 years, and I have seen how it restored his health and extended his life. That has been the best proof for me that I chose the right job. The mission that keeps me, as well as the other 90,000 employees in the company, motivated each day is to alleviate pain, restore health and extend life
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