Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation

This study tests a minimally invasive procedure to repair a leaky heart valve in people with severe cardiogenic shock (when the heart can't pump enough blood). Participants will either get the valve repair plus standard medical care, or medical care alone. The goal is to see if t…

This study tests a program to help smokers quit by offering support and rewards in emergency departments. About 1,200 daily smokers will receive behavioral help and follow-up care to stay smoke-free. The goal is to reduce smoking-related diseases like heart disease and cancer.

This study tests if a non-invasive radiation treatment (radio-ablation) works as well as the standard catheter procedure for controlling ventricular tachycardia, a dangerous fast heartbeat. About 244 adults with heart disease and an implanted defibrillator will be randomly assign…

This study tests whether a drug called dapagliflozin (a type of SGLT2 inhibitor) can reduce the amount of heart muscle damage in people having a severe heart attack known as STEMI. About 256 participants will receive either the drug or a placebo right before emergency treatment. …

This study compares two treatments for cardiac sarcoidosis, a condition where inflammation damages the heart. About 194 adults with active heart sarcoidosis will get either a low-dose prednisone/methotrexate combo or standard-dose prednisone alone. The goal is to see if the combo…

This study compares two types of catheter ablation for people with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), a common heart rhythm problem. Half of the 556 participants will receive the standard treatment, while the other half will get a personalized procedure that targets the specifi…

This study tests whether using a slightly warmer body temperature (32°C) during aortic surgery is better than a cooler temperature (26°C) at preventing brain and kidney damage. About 282 adults having planned aortic surgery will be randomly assigned to one of the two temperature …

This study tests whether starting blood thinners (antiplatelet drugs) soon after a heart transplant can prevent a common complication called cardiac allograft vasculopathy, which narrows the heart's arteries. About 135 adult heart transplant recipients will be randomly assigned t…

This study compares three approved smoking cessation products (nicotine patches/gum, cytisine, and varenicline) combined with counseling to help people quit smoking. About 150 adult smokers in Ontario who smoke more than 5 cigarettes daily will receive free products and virtual c…

This pilot study tests whether the diabetes drug canagliflozin can reduce inflammation in the arteries of people with type 2 diabetes and stable coronary artery disease. About 16 participants will receive either the drug or a placebo for 6 months. The main goal is to see changes …

This study tests if a drug called icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) can reduce inflammation in the arteries of adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia. Inflammation from pneumonia can harm blood vessels, raising heart risks. Over 6 months, 168 participants will take either …

This study tests if a more precise, goal-directed Valsalva maneuver (using a pressure gauge) finds a small heart hole called PFO better than the usual self-directed method (just bearing down). About 488 people who need a heart ultrasound after a stroke will be asked to do both ma…

This study tests whether a radioactive tracer called Florbetaben, used with a PET scan, can detect inflamed plaques in the arteries of people who recently had a heart attack or stroke. About 30 participants will receive the tracer and undergo imaging to see if it highlights dange…

This study looks at whether drugs that help the heart pump stronger (inotropes) actually help people in cardiogenic shock, a life-threatening condition where the heart can't pump enough blood. About 346 critically ill adults will get either one of two common drugs (milrinone or d…

This pilot study tests whether semaglutide, a drug used for diabetes, can help adults with type 2 diabetes quit smoking when used alongside nicotine replacement therapy. About 100 participants will be followed for 6 months to see if the approach is feasible and effective. The goa…

This study compares lenient versus strict arm restrictions for 6,300 patients receiving cardiac implantable electronic devices. The goal is to see if looser rules improve patient experience and reduce complications like lead dislodgement or frozen shoulder. Participants are rando…

This study aims to find out if restoring a normal heart rhythm through a procedure called cardioversion truly improves quality of life for people with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). One hundred adults with AF will be randomly assigned to receive either real cardioversion or…

This study looks at how two different virtual exercise programs affect exercise ability in women with coronary heart disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to either high-intensity interval training or moderate continuous training, exercising twice a week for 12 weeks. T…

This study tests whether a sedative called dexmedetomidine can help people with a life-threatening heart rhythm problem called electrical storm. About 192 adults in intensive care will receive either the sedative or a placebo for 2-3 days. The goal is to see if the drug reduces d…

This study tests whether a defibrillator that delivers a 360-joule shock works better than one that delivers a 200-joule shock for restoring normal heart rhythm in people with atrial fibrillation. About 376 adults scheduled for elective cardioversion will take part. The goal is t…

This study compares two types of exercise training—high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous exercise—against standard care in 132 adults with persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation. The goal is to see which approach best improves exercise cap…

This study tests an 8-week program called Healing Hearts Together (HHT) for couples where one partner has heart disease. About 608 couples will be randomly assigned to the program or usual care. The goal is to see if the program improves relationship quality, mental health, quali…

This study looks at whether a week of exercise (moderate or high intensity) changes symptoms of atrial fibrillation compared to a week of rest. It includes 36 adults aged 40+ with paroxysmal or persistent AF who have had symptoms recently. The main goal is to see if a larger stud…

This study compares a noninvasive PET scan to the standard invasive coronary angiography for monitoring heart transplant patients for a condition called cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), which narrows heart arteries. Researchers will enroll 576 adults who are 2-10 years post-…

This study follows up with people who survived a life-threatening heart rhythm problem called electrical storm and were treated in the ICU. Researchers want to learn how these patients are doing mentally and emotionally 3 to 6 months later. Participants fill out short questionnai…

This study looks at people with an enlarged ascending aorta (between 5.0 and 5.5 cm). Half will have early surgery to replace the aorta, and half will be closely monitored. The goal is to see which group has fewer deaths or dangerous aortic tears. The results will help doctors de…

This study looks at people who developed heart inflammation (myocarditis or pericarditis) after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Researchers will review medical records and follow up with 400 participants for up to 4 years to understand long-term health outcomes. The goal is to learn …

This study looks at whether measuring certain substances in the blood (biomarkers) can help doctors decide the best time to discharge patients hospitalized with worsening heart failure. About 750 participants will be randomly assigned to either standard care or a discharge plan g…

This study compares two surgical techniques for repairing a torn aorta (aortic dissection) in 50 adults. Participants are randomly assigned to one surgery or the other. Researchers track who survives and who needs additional procedures over 3 years. The goal is to determine which…

This study looks at four different treadmill tests to see which one best measures how much oxygen the body uses during exercise in people with coronary artery disease. Researchers want to know if the best test differs between women and men. The goal is to improve exercise testing…

This study looks at whether using a special CT scan in the emergency department to rule out blood clots before restoring normal heart rhythm can help people with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. About 190 adults will be randomly assigned to either the CT-scan approach or us…

This study tests a support program for 200 young adults with congenital heart disease who are waiting to see an adult heart specialist. The program includes nurse check-ins, a shared medical summary, education events, and a video handoff between child and adult doctors. The goal …