Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation

This study tests whether a personalized catheter ablation method, which targets areas of low voltage in the heart, works better than the standard procedure for people with persistent atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat). About 500 adults with persistent AFib will b…

This study tests whether an iodine-coated barrier dressing placed on the skin before surgery can reduce bacteria and prevent infections in people getting a new or upgraded heart device (like a pacemaker). About 390 adults at higher risk for infection are randomly assigned to get …

This study looks at people with a leaky heart valve caused by heart disease. Currently, surgeons choose between repairing or replacing the valve based on their own experience. This trial tests whether using a specific set of measurements (an algorithm) to guide that choice leads …

This study tests whether adding extra ablation sites during a standard heart procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF) can lower the chance of AF coming back. About 400 adults with intermittent AF will be randomly assigned to receive either the standard ablation plus a drug to check…

This study looks at two treatments for people with a leaky heart valve (mitral regurgitation) caused by heart disease. One option is open-heart surgery to fix or replace the valve along with bypass surgery. The other is a less invasive procedure to repair the valve, followed by b…

This study compares two types of heart bypass surgery for people with blocked arteries: a newer, less invasive method using a small chest incision versus the traditional method that opens the breastbone. Researchers want to see if the less invasive approach helps patients recover…

This study tests a smartphone app designed to motivate smokers who are not interested in quitting within the next 30 days. Researchers want to see if the app can increase readiness to quit, encourage quit attempts, and help people stop smoking. The study involves 382 adults in On…

This study looks at whether a new exercise program that mixes short bursts of intense activity with Nordic walking (walking with poles) can help people with heart disease feel better physically and mentally. About 40 adults who have had heart procedures like stents or bypass surg…

This study tests a program that combines counselling with nicotine replacement therapy (like gum or patches) to help e-cigarette users quit. 180 regular vapers will be randomly assigned to receive either counselling alone or counselling plus nicotine replacement. Researchers will…

This study looks at how a breathing device called adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) affects heart energy use and nerve function in people with heart failure and sleep apnea. Researchers will measure heart metabolism and efficiency using PET scans and heart rate monitoring. The goa…

This study looks at 3,500 adults with severe tricuspid regurgitation, a common heart valve problem in older adults. Researchers will compare standard medical therapy, surgery, and a less invasive catheter procedure to see which works best and when to intervene. The goal is to imp…

This study looks at whether a test called FFR, done before heart bypass surgery, can predict how well the new blood vessels work six months later. About 120 people with multiple blocked heart arteries will have FFR measured during their initial heart catheterization. After surger…

This study is a first step toward creating a heart disease risk score designed specifically for women. Researchers will follow 176 women aged 25-55 who have had conditions like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, or early menopause, which can raise heart risk. The goal is to bet…

This study aims to see if giving a radioactive tracer (rubidium-82) in a dose that increases with patient weight squared can produce clearer heart images during a PET scan. Researchers will enroll 48 adults with known or suspected heart disease, dividing them into four weight gro…

This study looks at new ways to detect artery disease in the new heart early after a transplant. About 80 adults who had a heart transplant within the last 3 months will get extra imaging tests and blood work. The goal is to catch small artery problems before they cause serious d…

This study looks at whether the Talk Test—a method that uses how easily you can speak during exercise—can safely and effectively replace a standard lab test for prescribing exercise in heart patients. Forty adults who recently had heart procedures will use the Talk Test during ho…

This pilot study explores whether advanced ECG mapping and enhanced MRI/PET scans can identify the exact areas causing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and guide a more targeted catheter ablation. Researchers aim to see if this personalized approach leads to higher success in …