MANFRED MUELLER

Of special note, in July 2022 at a specially convened strategy meeting of the EACTS Council, the Association embarked upon a unique ‘drive for innovation’ that will culminate, in the inaugural ‘EACTS Innovation Summit’ in April 2023. Led by Past Presidents, Friedhelm Beyersdorf and Mark Hazekamp, the Summit brings together engineers, scientists and surgeons, as well as and ensures EACTS stays up to date and fully engaged in all new and emerging evidence and technologies in aviation medicine as it pertains to cardiac surgery. The task force brings the cardiothoracic community and the aviation industry together to help pilots fly safely after cardiac surgery, leveraging the knowledge and expertise of other disciplines to improve patient outcomes. industry leaders, politicians and EU MDR officials in a facilitated interactive working symposium to discuss new developments and the latest thinking on all forms of scientific progress that may help to improve the care for cardiothoracic surgical patients.

The importance of this approach was reinforced by Manfred Mueller, keynote speaker at the 36th EACTS Annual Meeting. His address explored how knowledge and insights about flight safety from the aviation world can be shared and implemented into the medical world for the benefit of patients.

SOME OF THE MOST PIONEERING INNOVATIONS AND NEW CONCEPTS IN CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY WERE SHOWCASED AT THE 36TH EACTS ANNUAL MEETING