Mercy Medical Center Redding Performs First Cardiac Electrophysiology Cases in Redding

REDDING, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2020)  ---  Mercy Medical Center Redding is pleased to announce the first electrophysiology cases at the Mercy Redding Heart Center. Electrophysiology, which measures electrical activity in the heart to uncover the nature of abnormal heart rhythms—also called arrhythmias—helps guide treatment options.

The first cases, atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter ablations, were treated by catheter ablation performed by Javed Nasir, MD—the only cardiac electrophysiologist currently practicing in Redding—and took place in Mercy Redding’s state-of-the-art cath labs using highly advanced imaging and mapping.

On November 11, Dr. Nasir performed the first leadless pacemaker placement in Redding. Unlike a traditional pacemaker, a leadless pacemaker is completely self-contained within the heart. This new pacemaker—the size of a large vitamin capsule—is also 93% smaller than the size of a conventional pacemaker, and is inserted through a vein in the leg—eliminating the need for chest incision, or any resulting scars or bumps that can happen with conventional pacemakers.

“Cardiac electrophysiology not only gives you the ability to treat with education and medication, but also the ability to cure some abnormal heart rhythms,” said Dr. Nasir.

Catheter ablation is performed by inserting a small flexible tube into a blood vessel of the leg which is then guided to the heart using precision-guided imaging and three-dimensional integrated mapping systems. Once the area is mapped out and the abnormal rhythm is identified, the abnormal electrical pathways in the heart can be cauterized with either radiofrequency or cryotherapy energy to create a scar. The scar, which cannot conduct electricity, prevents the abnormal heart rhythm.

Dr. Nasir has more than 14 years of experience in cardiology, receiving his medical training and completing his cardiovascular disease fellowship in the military’s San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium. Dr. Nasir also completed a cardiac electrophysiology fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine. Prior to Mercy Medical Center Redding, he was the Chief of Electrophysiology at David Grant USAF Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California.

In October, Mercy Medical Center Redding announced a new surgery affiliation with Stanford Health Care and the Stanford University School of Medicine’s Cardiothoracic Surgery Department to establish Stanford Cardiac Surgery in affiliation with The Mercy Redding Heart Center to provide a comprehensive range of heart care services and surgeries to patients in Redding and surrounding areas.

“The Electrophysiology Program further enhances cardiac care at Mercy Medical Center Redding by offering leading-edge heart care utilizing the most innovative technologies available. Our patients no longer have to leave our community to access the very latest technology and treatments,” said Todd Smith, Mercy Medical Center President.

From heart disease education and prevention to advanced diagnosis, and from interventional and surgical procedures to rehabilitative care, The Mercy Redding Heart Center offers the most comprehensive continuum of care in the North State with the region’s only dedicated cardiac surgery ICU, Redding’s only electrophysiologist and the region’s most advanced technology in its two newly-renovated cath labs.

About Mercy Medical Center Redding

Mercy Medical Center Redding (“MMCR”) is a 267-bed hospital sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of Auburn, along with St. Elizabeth Community Hospital in Red Bluff and Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta. Our goal is to promote healing and wellness as well as to advocate for the poor. We deliver compassionate, high-quality health care to the people of the greater Redding area and surrounding North State communities.

MMCR has received the National Research Corporation’s Consumer Choice Award for eight consecutive years. Additionally, Mercy Medical Center Redding was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report for high performance in all five areas of adult treatment, including knee and hip replacement, heart failure, bypass surgery and pulmonary disease. MMCR has also been honored by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for our stroke program. MMCR is also recognized as a STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) Receiving Center.

Mercy Medical Center Redding is part of CommonSpirit Health—one of the nation’s largest health care systems with more than 142 hospitals in 21 states.