Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation

This study looked at 411 people with both heart failure and atrial fibrillation (a fast, irregular heartbeat). It compared two approaches: using a catheter to burn small areas in the heart to restore normal rhythm, versus simply controlling the heart rate with medication. The goa…

This study tested whether two common blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors or ARBs) could help high-risk COVID-19 patients avoid intensive care, a ventilator, or death. About 372 adults with COVID-19 and heart disease risk factors took part. Researchers tracked outcomes like I…

This study looked at whether adding a special pacemaker (called biventricular pacing) to an implantable defibrillator can help people who have both permanent atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The goal was to see if this treatment could shrink an enlarged heart, improve its p…

This study tested the drug spironolactone in 15 adults with chronic right-sided heart failure. The goal was to see if it safely reduces heart strain and improves nerve function. Participants took the drug or a placebo, and researchers measured changes in heart stress and activity…

This study looked at a new combination of two blood thinners (rivaroxaban and ticagrelor) for people with atrial fibrillation who had a heart stent placed. The goal was to see if this combo causes less bleeding than the standard three-drug therapy, while still preventing heart at…

This study tested a new way to help heart failure patients with weak hearts and implanted defibrillators get the best medications. Over 2,400 patients were involved. The goal was to improve medication use through a nurse-led program, aiming to reduce hospital visits and improve q…

This study looked at 1,284 people with atrial fibrillation (AF) who had a successful procedure to fix their irregular heartbeat. The goal was to find the best way to prevent strokes after the procedure. Researchers compared taking a daily blood thinner (anticoagulant) versus taki…

This study tested whether colchicine, an anti-inflammatory drug, can slow the buildup of calcium in the aortic valve in people with mild-to-moderate aortic stenosis. 24 adults were randomly assigned to take colchicine or a placebo for 6 months. The main goal was to see if the dru…

This study tested whether a daily breathing exercise called inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) can improve blood flow to the heart in people with coronary artery disease. Forty adults completed either a high-intensity or low-intensity version of the exercise for 8 weeks.…

This study looked at whether a special blood pressure cuff and monitoring program can help people with high blood pressure get better control when their doctor visits are virtual. About 100 adults with hypertension joined the study. The program tracked their blood pressure at hom…

This study looked at whether colchicine, a drug used for gout, can reduce inflammation in the arteries of people with diabetes or pre-diabetes who recently had a heart attack or stroke. Inflammation is a key driver of artery plaque buildup, which can lead to more heart problems. …

This study tested a new hybrid rehabilitation program for people with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition that causes leg pain and makes walking difficult. The program combines a few on-site supervised sessions with a home-based walking plan to make it easier for patie…

This study tested whether a 12-week virtual exercise program (high-intensity or moderate-intensity) could improve physical and mental health in 20 women with cardiac implantable electronic devices. The goal was to see if such programs are feasible and beneficial for this group. R…

This study looked at 200 people with atrial fibrillation to see how two treatments—catheter ablation or exercise training—change levels of a brain chemical called BDNF. Researchers also checked if these changes relate to depression, quality of life, and symptoms. The goal was to …

This study examined whether certain blood markers (like proBNP and hsTnT) can predict the risk of stroke and other heart problems in people who have short, symptom-free episodes of atrial fibrillation detected by heart devices. Researchers analyzed data from 321 participants with…

This study looked at 502 people with heart failure who were getting an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to prevent sudden cardiac death. Researchers used a special MRI scan to see if heart muscle scarring could predict who would later need a shock from their device. T…

This study looked at how common vitamin D deficiency is in people with chronic heart failure and whether taking vitamin D supplements improves their health. 91 adults with heart failure were divided into groups based on their vitamin D levels. Those with severe deficiency were ra…