Dr. Alexios Hadjis is one of the few Canadian cardiologists with subspecialty expertise in complex ventricular arrhythmias. He serves as Chief of the Electrophysiology Division in the Department of Cardiology at the Montréal Sacré-Cœur Hospital.
Driven by an unwavering commitment to healing the heart, this cardiac electrophysiologist continually strives to improve the quality of life of his patients. His innovative mindset has led him to the forefront of a breakthrough in cardiac intervention. In March 2026, this leading expert performed a procedure using a new technology that successfully treated a patient's arrhythmia—a condition that, until then, could not be cured using existing techniques.
Following the announcement of this major medical advancement, we met with Dr. Hadjis to learn more about what inspires him in his daily practice. This is what he shared:
"Today, new cardiac ablation technologies allow us to reach critical areas of heart tissue that were once considered inaccessible. This innovation, made possible through a groundbreaking catheter that combines two forms of energy and was used for the first time in Canada at the Montréal Sacré-Coeur Hospital, represents a significant advance in cutting-edge therapies for cardiac arrhythmias.
This is a pivotal moment in the field of electrophysiology. I am proud to be part of this initiative because it addresses unmet patient needs. We must always be willing to move forward and push the boundaries of what is possible.
During my first year of medical practice, I treated a 44-year-old patient suffering from ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia that is fatal without treatment. He had suffered a cardiac arrest while driving and, against all odds, survived long enough to be transported to the hospital. Every standard treatment for his arrhythmia had failed. I therefore brought him to the electrophysiology laboratory to perform a catheter ablation—a complex procedure that involves cauterizing damaged heart tissue and carries inherent risks. The procedure lasted six hours, and we successfully eliminated his arrhythmia. It was the first case of its kind ever performed at the Montréal Sacré-Coeur Hospital. Today, that patient is in complete remission and enjoying life to the fullest.
That experience had a profound impact on me. It was the culmination of many years of training, the support of my hospital, and ongoing technical development, all of which enabled me to provide the highest level of care to a patient who might not have survived without our intervention. It fills me with an immense sense of pride.
I am motivated by a deep sense of responsibility to honour my parents, my brother, and my sister, without whom I would never have had the opportunity to reach this stage of my career. During difficult times, I persevere thanks to the unwavering support of my wife and my desire to provide that same support to my two daughters."