The MUHC makes history with a world-first cardiac electrophysiology procedure

Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide for both women and men. While many people think of heart disease as blocked arteries or heart attacks, an important subset involves the heart’s electrical system, which controls the timing and coordination of each heartbeat. When this system does not function properly, the heart may beat too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly. Over time, some of these rhythm disturbances can weaken the heart and lead to heart failure.

Pacemakers are devices designed to prevent the heart from beating too slowly. However, advances in this field have led to specialized pacemakers that can correct electrical conduction problems rather than only increase the heart rate. These newer approaches restore a more natural activation of the heart muscle to prevent and/or reverse heart failure.

At the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), more than 1500 pacemaker/defibrillator procedures are performed each year to keep the heart beating in rhythm. The MUHC is also recognized internationally for advancing new techniques in cardiac care.

On January 16th, 2026, an important milestone was reached when Dr. Jacqueline Joza, a cardiac electrophysiologist at the MUHC, performed the world’s first pacemaker implantation procedure using a newly developed sheath. This new technology allows doctors to place pacing leads with unparalleled precision, helping to restore the heart’s natural rhythm and offering a new, highly effective approach to treating heart conditions.

The procedure took place in the MUHC’s Electrophysiology Laboratory (EP Lab), a state-of-the-art facility made possible by $6 million in donations from the MUHC Foundation. Unveiled at the Glen site in 2024, the EP Lab is equipped with cutting-edge technology and is recognized as one of the world’s premier centres for cardiac research and electrophysiology.

“I am honoured to have performed this first procedure at the MUHC,” said Dr. Joza. “It reflects the strength of our entire team and our commitment to advancing patient care.”

Dr. Joza is a leading expert in physiologic pacing, an approach that targets the heart’s natural electrical system to improve coordination and efficiency of the heartbeat. “It’s as if we are recreating the heart’s normal electrical system,” she adds. She also leads a national Canadian clinical trial focused on correcting electrical dysfunction.

“This new technology is a game-changer,” says Dr. Vidal Essebag, Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at the MUHC. “It’s going to improve the lives of patients by allowing us to deliver treatment with greater accuracy, maximizing the benefits of cardiac interventions.”

Dr. Atul Verma, Director of Cardiology at the MUHC, adds, “It’s a huge step forward in how we treat patients with heart conditions. By offering more targeted therapies, we can help our patients feel better and live healthier lives, which is our goal at the end of the day.”

The impact of this new technology is already being felt by patients. By enhancing the precision of pacing therapy, the new system is helping to reduce emergency visits, prevent hospitalizations, and improve overall heart function. These improvements not only help individual patients but are also contributing to a broader shift in the way heart conditions are treated worldwide.

Experts from around the world, including a team of researchers from South Korea and one from the U.S., have traveled to the MUHC to witness the new system in action. The momentum to better understand and treat electrical dysfunction is greater than ever, and philanthropic support from the MUHC Foundation has been a lifeline for this important work at the MUHC and beyond.

“Every dollar donated led to this exciting moment in heart care, where Dr. Joza gets to perform a world-first surgery in a world-class facility. Together, we have created a space designed not just for innovation, but for transforming heart care standards on a global scale,” says Marie-Hélène Laramée, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation

The funding of the EP Lab provided an exciting opportunity for the MUHC’s cardiac researchers to collaborate with global talent and industry partners like Medtronic, who developed the new sheath. This collaboration is driving continued innovation in the field of cardiac care and creating new possibilities for patients suffering from heart failure and electrical dysfunction.

“At Medtronic, we are proud to partner with the MUHC, bringing together clinical expertise and Medtronic engineering to drive innovation in the next era of electrophysiology. This collaboration reflects our commitment to deploy solutions that transforms cardiac care and reaches patients with heart failure and electrical disorders faster,” shares Robert Clifton VP and President at Medtronic Canada

With hundreds of thousands of Canadians being diagnosed with heart disease every year, the need to keep innovating is more urgent than ever, and the MUHC is already answering the call. As Dr. Joza and her colleagues at the EP Lab continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in heart care, patients will benefit from increasingly personalized treatments and better outcomes.

This groundbreaking procedure is not just a momentous achievement for the MUHC, it’s a powerful example of the impact that our hospital, our Foundation, and our community partners can have when we work together to make medical history. The future of heart health is bright, and this is just the beginning.

Medicine is always moving forward—and it’s never too late to start making history, together. Learn more about the MUHC’s EP Lab and join us in shaping the future of heart care today.