Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation

This study is testing whether a sedative medication called dexmedetomidine can help patients experiencing 'electrical storm'—a life-threatening condition where the heart's lower chambers beat dangerously fast and repeatedly. About 192 adults admitted to intensive care with this c…

This trial aims to find the best approach for people with a moderately enlarged aorta, a condition that risks a dangerous tear. About 610 participants will be randomly assigned to either have early surgery to replace the aorta or to be closely monitored with regular scans. The st…

This study aims to find the safest body temperature for patients undergoing complex aortic arch surgery. Researchers are comparing a milder cooling approach (32°C) to a more traditional, deeper cooling method (26°C) to see if the warmer temperature reduces the risk of brain and k…

This study is testing a new, non-invasive radiation treatment against the current standard surgery for a dangerous, fast heart rhythm called ventricular tachycardia (VT). It aims to see if a 15-minute outpatient radiation session can control VT as well as or better than a long, i…

This large study is testing whether allowing patients more normal arm movement after getting a pacemaker or similar heart device is just as safe as strict restrictions. It aims to see if easier rules lead to fewer complications and a better recovery experience for over 6,000 part…

This study is testing a completely virtual program to help people quit smoking. It offers free coaching and delivers one of three approved quit-smoking medications directly to participants in Ontario. The goal is to see how well people use the medications and coaching, and how sa…

This study compares two different defibrillator brands to see which one is more effective at restoring normal heart rhythm in people with atrial fibrillation. Researchers will test whether a device delivering higher maximum energy (360J) works better than one with lower maximum e…

This study compares two different surgical techniques for repairing a life-threatening tear in the body's main artery (aortic dissection). Patients undergoing emergency surgery are randomly assigned to receive either the standard 'hemiarch' repair or a more extensive 'extended ar…

This study is testing whether a diabetes medication called dapagliflozin can help limit the amount of heart muscle damage in people who have just had a major heart attack (STEMI). The trial will enroll 256 patients who are undergoing emergency heart artery opening. Participants w…

This study aims to find the best virtual exercise program for women with coronary heart disease. Researchers will compare two types of workouts—high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate continuous training (MICT)—to see which better improves fitness, mental health, and…

This study is testing whether specific exercise programs can help people with a long-term heart rhythm condition called atrial fibrillation feel better and improve their fitness. Researchers are comparing two types of exercise—high-intensity interval training and moderate continu…

This study aims to find out if using an electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm (cardioversion) actually improves how people with persistent atrial fibrillation feel day-to-day. Researchers are comparing the real procedure to a fake 'sham' procedure in 100 participants …

This study is testing if an 8-week couples program can improve relationship quality, mental health, and overall well-being for heart patients and their partners. About 600 couples will be randomly assigned to either join the program or continue with their usual care. Researchers …

This study aims to find out if different treadmill exercise tests work better for men versus women with coronary artery disease. Researchers will compare four different exercise protocols to see which one helps participants reach their highest oxygen use during exercise. The stud…

This is a small pilot study to see if it's practical to run a larger trial on how short-term exercise affects symptoms in people with atrial fibrillation (AF). Researchers will enroll 36 symptomatic men and women with AF. Participants will try a week of moderate exercise, a week …

This study aims to understand how often and why some people develop heart inflammation after COVID-19 vaccination. Researchers will follow 400 Canadian patients who experienced heart symptoms after vaccination, tracking their health for up to 4 years. The study will compare these…

This study aims to understand the mental health impact on patients who survived a dangerous heart condition called electrical storm. Researchers will ask 70 patients who received intensive care treatment to complete questionnaires about their anxiety, depression, and quality of l…