News from Mr. Saad

“I haven’t felt this good in a long time,” says patient after innovative cardiac procedure.

  
Last fall, Nick Saad was the first MUHC patient to undergo a brand new treatment for severe arrhythmias involving irradiating the abnormal parts of the heart that cause variations in the heart rate. How is he doing now? To find out, we met him right after his follow-up appointment with Dr. Martin Bernier, a cardiologist at the MUHC.

Three months have passed since your treatment, how are you feeling?

I haven’t felt this good in a long time. I spent a great holiday season; I walk more and I have more stamina than I’ve never had. There are still a few variations in my heart rate, but Dr. Bernier is happy with where I am now and is monitoring my condition. He’s a good doctor.

What was the problem?

Eight years ago, I went to the ER because I had a breathing problem. They told me that I had heart failure with arrhythmia. Dr. Bernier put a pacemaker, but that didn’t correct the problem, and medication didn’t help. So after that, there was not much we could do, apart from a heart transplant, which is an invasive option. Dr. Bernier told me there might be a new treatment, involving a collaboration between cardiology and radio oncology and I said, “Sure, let’s give it a try.” And here I am today, feeling better, thanks to Dr. Bernier, Dr. Hijal and their teams.