Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation

This study tests whether a web-based coaching program called CardioFit can help people with coronary artery disease become more physically active. Participants use a secure website to create personalized exercise plans with guidance from an online coach. The trial compares Cardio…

This study tests whether an automated phone system that calls smokers with coronary heart disease after hospital discharge can help them quit. Participants receive calls at several time points over six months, checking on their smoking and offering support. The goal is to see if …

This study tested whether a team of specialists—an endocrinologist, diabetes educator, and dietician—could help people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease control their blood sugar better than standard care. 169 patients were split into two groups: one received usual care from…

This pilot study tested whether varenicline (Chantix) helps smokers with coronary heart disease quit better than the standard nicotine patch. Fifty motivated smokers who had a heart-related event were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments for 12 weeks. The main goal was …

This study tested a new way to help heart failure patients with weak hearts get the right medications. Over 2,400 people with a heart device took part. A nurse used a simple checklist to guide doctors in prescribing better treatments, aiming to reduce hospital visits and improve …

This study tested whether catheter ablation (a procedure to fix irregular heart rhythm) is better than standard rate-control medication for people with both atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Over 400 participants were randomly assigned to either ablation or medication. The m…

This study tested the drug spironolactone in 15 adults with chronic right-sided heart failure. The goal was to see if it is safe and can improve heart function and reduce stress on the heart. Participants took either the drug or a placebo to compare effects.

This study tested a remote telehome monitoring program for 100 people with high blood pressure who receive virtual care. Participants used a special blood pressure cuff and a monitoring platform to share readings with their doctors. The goal was to see if this approach improves b…

This pilot study tested whether colchicine, an anti-inflammatory drug, can slow the buildup of calcium in the aortic valve. 24 adults with mild-to-moderate aortic stenosis were randomly assigned to take colchicine or a placebo for 6 months. The study measured changes in valve cal…

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

This study tested a combination of two drugs, rivaroxaban and ticagrelor, in 40 patients with atrial fibrillation who had a stent placed. The goal was to see if this combo causes less bleeding and prevents heart attacks or strokes better than current treatments. Patients took the…

This study tested whether a breathing muscle training device could improve blood flow in the hearts of people with coronary artery disease. Forty participants used the device daily for six weeks. Researchers compared high-intensity versus low-intensity training to see if it incre…

This study tested whether colchicine, a drug used for gout, can reduce inflammation in the arteries of people with diabetes who recently had a heart attack or stroke. Researchers used a special PET scan to measure inflammation in the blood vessels. 115 participants were randomly …

This study looked at 200 people with both heart failure and permanent atrial fibrillation. Participants received either a standard defibrillator (ICD) or one that also paces both lower heart chambers (CRT/ICD). The goal was to see if the extra pacing reduces heart size and improv…

This study tested whether common blood pressure medications (ACE inhibitors or ARBs) could improve outcomes for high-risk COVID-19 patients. Researchers enrolled 372 adults with confirmed COVID-19 who were either over 40 (outpatients) or over 18 (hospitalized). The goal was to se…

This trial tested two blood thinners—rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and aspirin—in over 1,200 people with atrial fibrillation who had a successful ablation procedure. The goal was to see which one better prevents strokes and silent brain clots. Participants were followed for three years w…

This trial tests whether a 12-week program led by a heart health educator can lower cholesterol and improve heart health in spouses, siblings, and children of people hospitalized with coronary heart disease. Participants work with an educator to create a personal plan for smoking…

This completed trial tested an 8-week program called Healing Hearts Together (HHT) for couples where one partner has heart disease. 474 couples attended weekly group sessions focused on communication, emotional support, and heart health. The goal was to see if the program improve…

This study looked at whether a 12-week virtual exercise program could help women with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) improve their physical fitness, quality of life, and mental health. Twenty women took part, doing either high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or…

This pilot study looked at whether it's possible to run a larger trial comparing two types of exercise—moderate steady exercise and high-intensity interval training—on symptoms of atrial fibrillation (AF), a common heart rhythm problem. Researchers enrolled 25 men and women with …

This study looked at 70 people who had a tissue heart valve replacement. It compared two common blood-thinning treatments (high-dose aspirin alone vs warfarin plus low-dose aspirin) to see which one better prevented tiny blood clots from traveling to the brain. Researchers used u…

This study looked at 502 people with heart failure who were getting an implantable defibrillator (ICD) to prevent sudden cardiac arrest. Researchers used a special MRI to see if heart scarring patterns could predict who would later need a shock from the device. The goal was to le…

This study looked at how common vitamin D deficiency is in people with chronic heart failure and whether giving 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…

This study looked at 321 people with pacemakers or heart monitors who had short, symptomless episodes of atrial fibrillation (silent AF). Researchers measured certain proteins in the blood to see if they could predict who might later have a stroke or other heart problems. The goa…

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