MercyOne Siouxland Patient Receives First Cardiac Contractility Modulation Therapy Procedure

Brad And Dr. Chan Two Weeks After Procedure

Brad Hedlund of Sioux City made local history on March 1, 2024, when he was the first patient to receive the life-altering Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM) Therapy procedure at MercyOne Siouxland Heart and Vascular Center.

Mohammad El Baba, MD, an electrophysiologist at MercyOne Siouxland Heart and Vascular Center, and his team performed the procedure.

"It's so rewarding when you see a problem in a patient, and you're the one to fix it,” said Dr. El Baba.

A minimally invasive, implantable device called the Optimizer delivers CCM therapy. It is similar in size to a pacemaker and improves heart contractions, allowing more oxygen-rich blood to reach the body.

Brad In Hospital Bed With Doctors And Ann

CCM therapy provides precisely timed electrical pulses to the heart for five hours daily in one-hour treatments separated by regular intervals. During the other intervals, it allows the heart to rest. The device is charged once a week for 45 minutes by placing a charging device on top of it.

Hedlund had a long history of heart problems and was unsure of his future. He came to MercyOne for a second opinion on his condition. The team at MercyOne Siouxland determined he was the perfect candidate and was approved for the CCM Therapy Procedure.

“Everybody at MercyOne was so upbeat. They told me, ‘We can help you,’” said Hedlund.

Brad And Dr El Baba At Two Week Check Up

Two weeks after the procedure, Hedlund said his quality of life had drastically improved, “I feel better than I have in years. I see a future I couldn’t imagine before I got the CCM procedure.”

Contact the MercyOne Siouxland Heart and Vascular Center at 712-294-7020 to learn more about the CCM Therapy procedure.