It can happen to someone in their 20s. More often it shows up in those 40-50 years of age. Bellhassen VT (Idiopathic Fascicular Ventricular Tachycardia) is a rare and complex disorder where the heart is pumping extremely fast from its main pumping chamber, the left ventricle. While typically not life-threatening, it is most often life-disturbing. A person with Bellhassen VT can experience palpitations, dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath. Attacks can occur spontaneously or be triggered by exercise.

A cardiac electrophysiologist might see a case of this condition once every five years. For Regina-born Dr. Omar Sultan, southern Saskatchewan’s only cardiac electrophysiologist, his first case showed up at the Regina General Hospital in April 2016. “The patient was young,” says Sultan. “He had a heart rate of up to 240 beats per minute.” He reports a normal heart rate for a healthy adult ranges between 60-100.

Dr. Sultan says the most common treatment for Bellhassen VT is ablation therapy or medication. For his patient, long-term use of medication came with significant side effects. “It corrected his heart rate but left him between a rock and a hard place,” says Sultan. In early April, the doctor decided to perform Saskatchewan’s first Bellhassen VT ablation – an invasive procedure and the only means to completely treat his patient’s condition.

The complex procedure involves an in-depth look at the heart through the use of a fluoroscope to ensure catheters are in the correct and safe position while studying the organ. The physician then enters the fast-beating heart to fix the short circuit in the pumping chamber – the reason for the heart’s rapid rate. Risks that can occur include bleeding around the heart and even stroke.

“We were able to fix the bad and leave the good,” says Sultan. “This meant the patient would not require any rhythmic device following the surgery. It was an acute success.”

This advanced procedure, performed at the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation Electrophysiology Lab (EP) located at Regina General Hospital, requires a highly-specialized health care team. There must be two EP nurses and technologists present. It is something found only in large city centres with long-standing heart centres such as Calgary, Toronto or Victoria. Now, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region’s (RQHR) Mosaic Heart Centre, Dr. Omar Sultan and team can be added to that prestigious list.

In 2015 alone, Cardiac Services saw 3,200 patients: 298 were electrophysiology cases, 379 were open heart surgeries and 400 received pacemakers through the Group Medical Services (GMS) Cardiac Rhythm Device Clinic. Dr. Sultan oversees patients in the GMS clinic.

Dr. Sultan says these life-changing procedures are made possible through the partnership between RQHR and Hospitals of Regina Foundation.

“I’m very grateful to have this relationship with the Foundation because it has allowed a service that was long overdue to be offered in this province,” he says. “Not only has the Foundation helped aid these advancements, they continue to help support patients who would otherwise have to go out of province for treatment or not be treated at all.”

He goes on to say, his team wouldn’t be here, helping these patients, if it wasn’t for the generosity and compassion from donors.

“This community has such a gift of spirit and pride,” says Dino Sophocleous, president and CEO, Hospitals of Regina Foundation. “They are so committed to supporting our hospitals and doctors. We are most grateful.”

The story doesn’t end there. Dr. Omar Sultan was part of another Saskatchewan first when he was recently inaugurated as a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS). Fellowship in the HRS is a mark of distinction and there are only 1,200 members world-wide. Sultan says, “I am very honoured that I’m able to provide these services for patients across southern Saskatchewan. I hope my team and I can continue to grow our cardiac centre of excellence and help as many people as possible, for many years to come.”