Dutch Cardiologist Develops Neck-Based Pacemaker Method That Solves Bra Strap Problem
Amsterdam, Saturday, 10 January 2026.
Cardiologist Shmaila Saleem-Talib at HagaZiekenhuis has pioneered inserting wireless pacemakers through the neck rather than the groin, addressing a widespread but overlooked issue affecting female patients daily.
Medical Innovation Category and Benefits
This advancement falls squarely within the healthtech category, representing a significant leap forward in gender-inclusive medical device design [GPT]. The innovation addresses a fundamental oversight in traditional pacemaker placement that has affected women for decades. Saleem-Talib’s research demonstrates that wireless pacemakers inserted via the neck result in 50 percent fewer complications compared to traditional methods [2][3]. The neck-based insertion technique proves less painful, requires less time to complete, and significantly reduces the risk of post-operative complications [2][3][4]. Beyond the clinical benefits, this method eliminates the daily discomfort women experience when traditional pacemakers interfere with bra straps, a problem that has persisted largely unaddressed in cardiac care.
How the Technology Works
The wireless pacemaker itself measures just 2 centimeters in length and operates without the external leads required by traditional devices [2][3]. Unlike conventional pacemakers that are implanted just under the skin and leave visible scars, this leadless technology is inserted directly into the heart chamber through a catheter approach [2]. The neck insertion method, formally known as leadless pacing, bypasses the traditional groin-based approach that has been standard practice [2][3][4]. During the procedure, cardiologists guide the tiny device through blood vessels in the neck directly to the heart, where it attaches to the heart wall and begins regulating rhythm immediately [2][3]. This approach eliminates the need for pocket creation under the skin and the associated lead wires that connect traditional pacemakers to the heart.
The Pioneer Behind the Innovation
Cardiologist-electrophysiologist Shmaila Saleem-Talib of HagaZiekenhuis in The Hague has emerged as the leading developer of this technique [2][3][4]. Saleem-Talib, working alongside colleague Hemanth Ramanna, first performed the neck-based wireless pacemaker insertion in 2018 when anatomical abnormalities prevented traditional groin insertion in a patient [2][3]. She promoted her doctoral research on this method in January 2026, with her promotion occurring this week [2][3][4]. HagaZiekenhuis now leads globally in this innovative treatment, with cardiologists traveling to The Hague specifically to learn Saleem-Talib’s technique [3]. The European Heart Rhythm Association has recognized her expertise by requesting that she write the European guidelines for wireless pacemakers [2][3].
Addressing Gender Disparities in Cardiac Care
Saleem-Talib has been vocal about the broader implications of her work for women’s healthcare equality. She emphasizes that women remain consistently underrepresented in medical device development, stating: ‘Women are consistently underrepresented. Take the traditional pacemaker: the place where it is implanted is often exactly at the location of a bra strap. Women suffer from this every day. That has to change. Women must have a permanent, equal voice at the table so that our female patients also receive the best possible care’ [2]. This innovation represents more than technical advancement—it embodies a shift toward inclusive medical design that considers the daily realities of female patients. Saleem-Talib, who balances her roles as cardiologist, researcher, and lecturer while raising three daughters, aims to demonstrate that women can excel in cardiology without compromising family life [3]. She is organizing a symposium for leading cardiologists to discuss leadless pacing technology, further cementing her role as a thought leader in this emerging field [2][3].