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Ottawa emergency physicians receive $2.65 M for heart arrhythmia research


April 20, 2017


Ottawa researchers received a total of $2.65 M from The Cardiac Arrhythmia Network of Canada and partners for two projects to decrease hospital admissions and improve the quality of life of millions of Canadians with heart rhythm disturbances. Dr. Ian Stielland Dr. Debra Eagles received $229,770 to develop a strategy to standardize care for acute atrial fibrillation so that most patients are treated in emergency departments and discharged home without needing to be hospitalized. Dr. Venkatesh Thiruganasanbandamoorthy received $2.4 million for a program to optimize care across the system for patients who faint. Fainting is usually harmless, and only a small number of individuals are at risk of heart complications that require hospitalization. The rest can be referred by emergency medical services to community clinics, saving them from long waits in hospital emergency room.

Additional Funders: TOHAMO, The Ottawa Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, Health Quality Ontario, Canadian Cardiac Care, Participating study sites and their local DEM/research institute

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Media Contact


Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca