Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

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Vascular, heart and metabolic disease

Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are investigating promising new approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases that involve the heart, blood vessels and metabolism. Our work spans the full spectrum of research from basic science to clinical research to implementation.

Research News

	New scientist profile: Dr. Alexandre Tran aims to personalize blood clot prevention in trauma and critical care August 27, 2024 - Whether he’s preparing a trauma patient for surgery or caring for a patient in the intensive care unit, Dr. Alexandre Tran is thinking about how to keep them safe from life-threatening bleeds and blood clots.
	MicroRNA could protect the kidneys, according to animal study August 13, 2024 - “Our research shows microRNA holds promise for protecting against both acute kidney injury and its complications. We hope to test it soon in clinical trials."
	When research inspires care: Patient partners spearhead brain aneurysm recovery guide July 23, 2024 - Survivors of brain aneurysms and their family members are the driving force behind a new guide for patients at The Ottawa Hospital on what to expect when recovering from this kind of stroke.
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	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 14 CIHR grants worth more than $10 million July 18, 2024 - “Success at CIHR underscores the creativity, dedication and collaboration of our researchers and their teams. Funding for these innovative projects paves the way for groundbreaking advancement in biomedical sciences, improved patient care and progres
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded three grants for high risk, high reward and interdisciplinary research June 18, 2024 - The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) 2023 Exploration competition has awarded $33 million to support 133 research teams across Canada that bring diverse disciplines together in pursuit of breakthrough ideas and high-reward outcomes.
	Can AI predict major bleeds from blood thinners? May 28, 2024 - “More research is needed before we can use AI tools in the clinic to predict bleeding risk, but this proof-of-concept study shows they hold great promise.”
	Epigenetics may explain statins’ anti-inflammatory power May 17, 2024 - “If we can understand more about how statins reduce inflammation at the molecular level, we may be able to design new drugs that can complement statins and enhance heart attack prevention."
	Study reveals molecular reason why arteries harden with age May 14, 2024 - “These cells could help us uncover potential drugs to prevent or treat cardiovascular diseases by targeting these molecular changes."
	Social factors affect dialysis choice for kidney patients April 30, 2024 - Individuals with kidney failure who have less education, who are unemployed or retired, or who are living alone at home or in a long-term residence are more likely to start hemodialysis than peritoneal dialysis.
	Kidney donation: research shows benefits of new 1-day screening February 23, 2024 - If you were thinking of becoming a living kidney donor, would you rather do all your screening appointments in one day, or spread them out over six months?
	ELEVATE seed grants to help researchers at The Ottawa Hospital improve treatment for inflammatory and immune conditions February 21, 2024 - The Ottawa Hospital’s Research Institute is awarding four ELEVATE seed grants to help researchers understand the role of inflammation and the immune system in various diseases and develop better treatments.
	ELEVATE seed grants to help researchers at The Ottawa Hospital improve prevention and care for kidney disease February 21, 2024 - The Ottawa Hospital’s Research Institute is awarding five ELEVATE seed grants to kickstart innovative kidney research projects.
	When hormones hurt the heart February 14, 2024 - “This study shows even mild forms of primary aldosteronism can hurt the heart and blood vessels, even before someone develops high blood pressure.”
	Cancer + past stroke increases stroke risk nearly 3-fold January 29, 2024 - A study co-led by Drs Deborah Siegal and Rinku Sutradhar found that people who had a stroke prior to a cancer diagnosis were nearly three times more likely to have a future stroke compared to other cancer patients.
	Experts call for tighter standards to speed emergency treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage January 26, 2024 - Most experts agree that “time is brain” when it comes to treating stroke, but this principle hasn’t always been applied evenly to different kinds of stroke.
	The Ottawa Hospital uses breakthrough stroke technology to improve patient care January 24, 2024 - Using the world’s smallest camera, physicians can see inside blood vessels during patient procedures for the first time
	New scientist profile: Dr. Blair Gage uses stem cell biology to build blood vessels and develop new treatments January 2, 2024 - As a self-proclaimed “cell therapist,” Dr. Blair Gage aims to understand what makes stem cells tick and then gently coax them to realize their full potential.
	New scientist profile: Dr. Yan Xu aims to better understand blood clots in racialized populations January 2, 2024 - “Our first step is to understand if there are ethnic and racial differences in the prevention and treatment of blood clots in Canada. And if so, what we can do about it.”
	What’s the best way to prevent blood clots after hip or knee replacement surgery in people with chronic kidney disease? December 15, 2023 - Surgery comes with a risk of blood clots, especially joint replacement surgery, so patients are given blood thinners to prevent clots from forming.
	Global research trial for ICH stroke a major step forward for patients October 25, 2023 - Dr. Dar Dowlatshahi is leading the Canadian site of the research trial and hopes it will change the way we treat the deadliest and least treatable form of stroke.
	Sci-fi developments and rock ’n’ roll October 25, 2023 - Meet Dr. Dar Dowlatshahi, stroke researcher and literal rock star at The Ottawa Hospital
	New scientist profile: Dr. Deborah Zimmerman is committed to improving quality of life for patients on hemodialysis October 13, 2023 - Dr. Zimmerman wonders whether starting some patients on hemodialysis more gradually at two days a week while they still have some kidney function would give them a bit more time to enjoy their regular activities. There has been very little research i
	Meet Dr. Edward Clark, The Ottawa Hospital’s new Jindal Research Chair for the Prevention of Kidney Disease September 28, 2023 - As The Ottawa Hospital’s new Jindal Chair for Kidney Disease Prevention, Dr. Clark will be able to accelerate his research, which aims to help more critically ill patients survive acute kidney injury, and recover enough kidney function to avoid dialy
	Lifelong treatment with blood thinners is unlikely to have survival benefits for most patients with unexplained clots August 3, 2023 - More than 750,000 Canadians will have an unexplained vein blood clot, known as venous thrombosis. Guidelines suggest that these people take blood thinners for life to prevent a second clot, however, the tradeoffs between the benefits, risks and finan
	New scientist profile: Dr. Ayub Akbari wants to predict when patients will need dialysis July 20, 2023 - Nephrologist Dr. Ayub Akbari does his best to prepare patients with advanced chronic kidney disease for the day when their kidneys fail and they need dialysis. Unfortunately, for many patients there’s no way to know when that will happen.
	Diabetes: innovative meta-analysis reveals best quality improvement strategies July 5, 2023 - Dr. Jeremy Grimshaw recently led an innovative Cochrane meta-analysis of 553 clinical trials including more than 400,000 participants around the world to determine the best quality improvement strategies for diabetes care.
	Even a modest reduction in kidney function increases health risks in young adults June 23, 2023 - A study of more than 8 million adults in Ontario, Canada suggests that even a modest loss of kidney function is associated with increased health risks. The study, published in The BMJ, could lead to better approaches to prevent chronic kidney disease
	Will I be on dialysis forever? New calculator could help kidney disease patients June 9, 2023 - People who receive their first kidney dialysis treatment during a hospital admission often wonder if their kidneys will eventually recover, or if they will need to continue dialysis for the rest of their lives. A new calculator developed by Dr. Edwar
	CT scan results help predict which mini-strokes lead to major strokes June 8, 2023 - This is the first study to confirm the additional risk of stroke related to these findings. It also suggests that adding these CT findings to TIA decision tools would further improve physicians’ ability to predict a patient’s future stroke risk and p
	How a heart attack drug is revolutionizing stroke treatment May 11, 2023 - A clot-busting drug developed to treat heart attack is now being used as a standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke, thanks in large part to research at The Ottawa Hospital.
	Brain Heart Interconnectome to lead a paradigm shift April 28, 2023 - From cognitive impairment to heart failure, brain and heart conditions pose one of the world’s biggest health-care challenges, exceeding all others in disease burden and mortality.
	Molecule triggered by running could help with stroke recovery April 18, 2023 - Research suggests that VGF plays a key role in healing the brain after stroke
	Moving the needle forward on sepsis research with a world-first clinical trial March 16, 2023 - The search for the silver bullet for sepsis has been decades in the making. However, The Ottawa Hospital is taking a big step forward in the next phase of a world-first clinical trial using stem cells in patients with septic shock.
	Meet Dr. Manoj Lalu, the clinician-scientist bringing lab discoveries to patients every day March 16, 2023 - From looking at how we can use stem cells to treat diseases like sepsis to dealing with patients directly in the ICU and OR, Dr. Lalu is making an impact behind the scenes and beyond.
	Meet Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre — sepsis researcher and clinician extraordinaire March 16, 2023 - Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre’s path to The Ottawa Hospital wasn’t necessarily a direct one — it took her all over Ontario and out west to the mountains — but she couldn’t do her groundbreaking sepsis research anywhere else, or with any other team.
	New scientist profile: Dr. Joseph Shaw investigates best way to “turn off” blood thinners March 16, 2023 - Thrombosis physician Dr. Joseph Shaw knows blood thinners are great for preventing blood clots. But sometimes people taking these drugs need to be able to form blood clots again, like before a surgery, or if they start bleeding in the brain or gut.
	How should patients with acute heart failure be monitored? This tool can help. March 7, 2023 - A clinical decision tool used in the emergency department can improve outcomes for patients with acute heart failure, according to trial involving more than 5,000 patients, published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Study could lead to new treatments for pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure February 28, 2023 - The human heart has a remarkable ability to adapt and compensate in the face of injury and disease, but unfortunately this isn’t universal.
	ELEVATE seed grants to help researchers at The Ottawa Hospital develop better treatments and improve patient care February 1, 2023 - The Ottawa Hospital’s Research Institute is awarding five ELEVATE seed grants to early-career researchers to spur the development of innovative treatments and better patient care.
	Life-altering stroke treatment and care from a “gym rat” January 26, 2023 - Meet Dr. Robert Fahed, one of only four interventional neurologists in Canada
	A self-proclaimed nerd with a knack for nephrology January 26, 2023 - Dr. Kevin Burns never thought he’d be practicing award-winning kidney research in Ottawa. But after falling in love with Ottawa and with nephrology, Dr. Burns became an integral part of The Ottawa Hospital team.
	Clinical trial will test promising cell therapy for septic shock January 19, 2023 - Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre was awarded $1.6 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Clinical Trials Fund to conduct a Phase II clinical trial of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in patients with septic shock.
	New online calculator predicts risk of developing kidney disease January 18, 2023 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have developed and validated an online calculator that can estimate a person’s risk of developing chronic kidney disease. The method used to develop the tool was published in the Clinical Journal of the American Soc
	When a heart won’t start, some defibrillation strategies work better than others January 11, 2023 - A randomized controlled trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that two different defibrillation strategies were associated with increased survival among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients whose hearts didn’t start after st
	Intravenous vitamin C treatment does not help sepsis patients December 14, 2022 - A randomized controlled trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine has quashed the theory that intravenous vitamin C could prevent death and organ damage in patients with sepsis.
	Tools can identify which patients should stop taking blood thinners for unexplained blood clots November 30, 2022 - Over 750,000 Canadians will have an unexplained vein blood clot in their lifetime, known as venous thrombosis.
	Visionary scientist shaped Canada’s kidney research landscape November 2, 2022 - As a young man raised in Montreal, Dr. Kevin Burns had no intention of staying in Ottawa when he first came here to study nephrology as a medical resident. However, he grew to love both the city and his colleagues at The Ottawa Hospital and has since
	Neurologist blazes new trails in stroke research November 2, 2022 - For a neurology resident who spent the last five years sleeping in hospitals and saving lives, Dr. Ronda Lun’s research accomplishments are nothing short of incredible.
	Bench to bedside: the quest to prevent cancer from coming back after surgery October 20, 2022 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have made another important step forward in their quest to find innovative ways to stop cancer from coming back after surgery. While surgery often provides the best option for removing all or most of a tumour, resea
	New scientist profile: Dr. Nicola Schieda aims to improve imaging diagnosis of prostate, kidney cancers October 5, 2022 - Radiologist Dr. Nicola Schieda works on algorithms to improve the non-invasive diagnosis of kidney and prostate cancers using MRI and CT scans.
	Lab-grown “mini-kidneys” unlock secrets of a rare disease July 21, 2022 - Researchers have solved a medical mystery in a poorly understood disease by uncovering which cells cause tumours in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 19 CIHR grants worth more than $12 million July 20, 2022 - These projects will advance science and improve health in areas such as cancer, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, autism, Kabuki Syndrome, kidney disease, patient engagement, blood transfusions, sepsis, surgery, anesthesia, plasma donation, muscle
	Dr. Marc Carrier recognized as one of top blood clot researchers in Canada July 13, 2022 - Dr. Marc Carrier has received a major honour recognizing his outstanding contributions to advancing blood and blood vessel care in both in Canada and around the world.
	Breakthrough could revolutionize stroke treatment June 29, 2022 - In the largest stroke clinical trial ever run in Canada, researchers have shown Tenecteplase (TNK), a safe, well tolerated drug, commonly used as a clot buster for heart attacks, is an effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke, a stroke caused by
	New scientist profile: Dr. David Massicotte-Azarniouch aims to improve care for rare kidney diseases May 20, 2022 - As a nephrologist specializing in glomerular diseases, Dr. David Massicotte-Azarniouch embraces the challenge of helping patients whose kidneys are being attacked by their own immune systems.
	Ottawa Hospital researchers awarded $1.85M from Stem Cell Network May 12, 2022 - Four research teams at The Ottawa Hospital have been awarded a total of $1.85 million to harness stem cells and regenerative medicine to develop new therapies for septic shock, bone and joint conditions, and newborn lung damage, while also advancing
	Meet brain researcher Julie Ouellette April 25, 2022 - “It’s so motivating working in the lab, because you’re seeing all this new information and you just want to get your message out into the world.”
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded five grants for high risk, high reward and interdisciplinary research April 4, 2022 - The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) 2021 Exploration competition has awarded $25 million to support 102 research teams across Canada that bring diverse disciplines together in pursuit of breakthrough ideas and high-reward outcomes.
	New scientist profile: Dr. Derek Roberts aims to save life and limb of people with peripheral artery disease March 17, 2022 - As a vascular and endovascular surgeon who has seen too many patients lose toes, legs, or their lives due to peripheral artery disease, Dr. Derek Roberts wants to improve care and outcomes for this treatable condition.
	New scientist profile: Dr. Edward Clark aims to improve kidney health for hospitalized patients March 17, 2022 - As a nephrologist who sees patients in the ICU, Dr. Edward (Ted) Clark knows kidneys can often stop working when someone is critically ill.
	Research on brain blood vessels could lead to new treatments for brain diseases March 9, 2022 - Could a better understanding of brain blood vessels lead to new approaches to prevent or treat brain disease? Dr. Baptiste Lacoste and his team think so, and they recently contributed to two important papers in this area.
	Study reinforces new treatment option for stroke prevention February 17, 2022 - A network meta-analysis led by Dr. Dar Dowlatshahi and neurology resident Dr. Ronda Lun found that ticagrelor is just as good as clopidogrel when combined with aspirin as a dual antiplatelet therapy.
	Survivors and families help set priorities for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest research February 17, 2022 - Survivors, families, bystander responders and healthcare providers were part of an inclusive process to set international priorities for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest research.
	Tiny particles hold promise for treating acute and chronic lung disease February 17, 2022 - A meta-analysis of lab studies found that tiny particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have clear potential for treating acute lung injury,
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 18 CIHR grants worth more than $11 million February 5, 2022 - These projects will advance science and improve health in areas such as tuberculosis, blood disease, prostate cancer, heart disease, muscle repair, sleep apnea, brain cancer, medical imaging, virtual care, prehab, intellectual disability, sarcoma, CA
	Getting the clot out on first try improves outcomes for basilar artery stroke patients January 21, 2022 - Pulling a clot out of the brain on the first try significantly improves outcomes for patients with basilar artery stroke, according to a study published in Stroke led by Dr. Robert Fahed. This rare kind stroke can cause death or severe disability by
	Dr. Gregory Hundemer appointed as first Lorna Jocelyn Wood Chair for Kidney Research January 13, 2022 - Dr. Gregory Hundemer has been appointed as the first Lorna Jocelyn Wood Chair for Kidney Research at The Ottawa Hospital. This endowed chair was created thanks to generous donations from the late Ms. Wood and her family to The Ottawa Hospital Foundat
	Helping patients and saving money: Drug that prevents blood clots in cancer patients is cost-effective January 6, 2022 - People with cancer are four to seven times more likely to have a blood clot than the general population.
	Tiny clots in the lung put patients at risk of future blood clots December 16, 2021 - A study led by Drs. Grégoire Le Gal and Marc Carrier found that tiny clots in the lungs are not as harmless as previously thought, and in most cases should be treated with blood thinners.
	New scientist profile: Dr. Mark Canney uses big data to answer burning questions in kidney disease December 9, 2021 - As a kidney specialist with a background in epidemiology and statistics, Dr. Mark Canney is interested in the questions that most trouble his colleagues.
	Tiny bits of blood vessel may warn of newborn complications November 4, 2021 - A study published in Biomarker Research co-led by Drs. Dylan Burger and Denice Feig found that extracellular vesicles may be able to predict newborn outcomes, at least in pregnant people with diabetes.
	Study establishes bleeding risk with long-term use of blood thinners for life-threatening clots October 20, 2021 - A new systematic review and meta-analysis now provides the best data yet on the long-term risks and consequences of bleeding with different blood thinners.
	MicroRNA protects mice from acute kidney injury October 6, 2021 - New research led by Dr. Kevin Burns shows that intravenous delivery of a type of microRNA can protect mice from acute kidney injury, a serious and untreatable condition.
	Biomanufacturing partnership boosts Canada’s life-saving treatment and vaccine capacity September 13, 2021 - As Canada seeks to rebuild its biomanufacturing sector and support made-in-Canada solutions to global health challenges, The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Alberta and BioCanRx have collaborated to create Canada’s first full-service, end-to-end b
	Could a drug that controls appetite also treat schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s? Mouse studies show promise. September 8, 2021 - Two recent studies suggest that the drug trodusquemine has the potential to treat symptoms of both schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. This is because the drug targets an enzyme called PTP1B, which plays a role in both diseases
	Full-dose blood thinners help moderately ill COVID-19 patients August 23, 2021 - Two Canadian-led studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine show that full-dose blood thinners help moderately ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but not critically ill patients.
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded eight grants worth $5 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research August 10, 2021 - These projects will advance science and improve health in areas such as cancer immunotherapy, orthopedic surgery, long-term care, neuromuscular disease, blood clots, vascular disease, aging, kidney disease and Inuit health.
	Plasma exchange may help treat rare blood clots related to vaccines August 6, 2021 - Canadian researchers have published the first study of plasma exchange as a possible treatment for rare blood clots related to certain COVID-19 vaccines.
	Can a calculator predict your risk of dementia? June 25, 2021 - Canadian researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa, the Bruyère Research Institute and ICES have built and validated an online calculator that empowers individuals 55 and over to better understand the health of their brain and
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded three grants for high risk, high reward and interdisciplinary research May 31, 2021 - The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) 2020 Exploration competition brings diverse disciplines together in pursuit of breakthrough ideas and high-reward outcomes.
	Hold the ice: study shows no benefit during kidney cancer surgery May 19, 2021 - A clinical trial shows that contrary to popular belief, renal hypothermia doesn’t actually improve kidney function after kidney cancer surgery.
	New Scientist profile: Dr. Miriam Kimpton aims to prevent blood clots in patients with rare blood cancer April 30, 2021 - Dr. Miriam Kimpton’s research centers on myeloproliferative neoplasms, a rare form of chronic blood cancer
	Experts on call: How to survive and thrive after a medical emergency April 22, 2021 - Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes in the emergency department (ED)? At The Ottawa Hospital, research plays a huge role in both enhancing patient care and making the ED more efficient.
	Sepsis costs Ontario healthcare system $1 billion per year February 22, 2021 - A study published in Critical Care Medicine led by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa, and ICES shows that severe sepsis is linked with higher mortality, increased hospital readmission and higher healthcare costs. In Ontario
	Blood thinners help keep hospitalized COVID-19 patients out of ICU February 17, 2021 - Full-dose blood thinners reduced the need for mechanical ventilation and transfer to the ICU in moderately ill patients hospitalized with COVID-19, according to interim results from an international clinical trial.
	New scientist profile: Dr. Tzu-Fei Wang aims to guide blood clot care for cancer patients February 17, 2021 - When hematologist Dr. Tzu-Fei Wang is deciding on the best way to treat a patient’s blood clot, she’ll ask whether they are taking any other medications. A quick check of an online database confirms whether these medications interact poorly with any
	Tool predicts which mini-strokes could lead to major strokes February 3, 2021 - A made-in-Ottawa tool can help emergency physicians predict which patients with mini-strokes are at greatest risk of having a major stroke within the week, according to a study published in The BMJ.
	New scientist profile: Dr. Deborah Siegal aims to enhance care for people taking blood thinners January 29, 2021 - Hematologist Dr. Deborah Siegal knows that blood thinners save lives by preventing strokes and blood clots in the veins. Unfortunately, these medications come with a risk of bleeding which can be fatal. Dr. Siegal wants to find out how to best manage
	Studying sex differences in kidney disease could open door to developing new treatments January 27, 2021 - During critical illnesses like septic shock, the kidneys are often the first to shut down and the last to recover, if they recover at all. Previous research has shown that men are more severely affected by this kind of acute kidney injury than women,
	Can a diabetes drug help repair damaged nerve insulation? Mouse study shows it might. January 27, 2021 - A study in mice led by Dr. Jing Wang suggests that the diabetes drug metformin may be able to repair damage to nerve insulation caused by diseases like MS and stroke.
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded six CIHR grants worth $2.6 million September 7, 2020 - Could a common diabetes drug help prevent ovarian cancer? Can a tailored screening program help prevent eye disease in immigrants? Is sepsis different in females versus males, and if so, can this help us develop better treatments? These are just a fe
	Preventing dangerous blood clots in COVID-19 patients June 26, 2020 - Drs. Lana Castellucci, Marc Carrier and colleagues are contributing to an international clinical trial to find out whether a high dose of blood thinner can prevent dangerous blood clots in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
	Diabetes drug corrects some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in mice June 4, 2020 - A study in mice led by Dr. Jing Wang suggests that the diabetes drug metformin may be able to reverse some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
	New Frontiers in Research Fund supports trailblazing research on autism, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s June 3, 2020 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital are involved in four new projects funded through the Exploration stream of Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund. The fund is designed to support high-risk, high-reward and interdisciplinary research.
	New scientist profile: Dr. Robert Fahed wants more people to benefit from life-saving stroke therapy May 27, 2020 - Dr. Robert Fahed saves lives by pulling blood clots out of the brains of stroke patients. This minimally invasive procedure called thrombectomy has revolutionized stroke care, and Dr. Fahed wants as many patients as possible to benefit. However, he’s
	When is fainting a sign of a bigger problem? This tool can tell May 14, 2020 - Most of the time fainting is harmless, but for some people it can be caused by serious conditions like irregular heartbeat. A made-in-Ottawa tool can accurately tell emergency physicians which patients will have symptoms of these serious conditions
	Updated Ottawa Rules app could help doctors predict strokes, catch deadly brain bleeds May 14, 2020 - A free app for emergency department physicians based on Ottawa’s world-renowned clinical decision rules has added more rules to its roster.
	Mysteries of cell fate unlocked with new measurement and modeling techniques May 14, 2020 - Drs. Marjorie Brand, Ted Perkins and Jeffrey Ranish have found a missing link needed to fully understand how stem cells become specialized cells.
	New tool helps predict risk of death, admission to long-term care for people with dementia April 20, 2020 - A new tool that predicts risk of death and admission to a long-term care facility for patients with dementia may help conversations between health care providers, patients and their families, according to new research in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Associ
	Don’t change blood pressure medication because of fear of COVID-19 April 17, 2020 - Viruses get inside our cells by latching onto specific proteins on the cell surface. In the case of COVID-19, the virus latches onto a protein that normally controls blood pressure. In fact, common blood pressure medications increase the level of thi
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded nine grants worth $5.6 million from Canadian Institutes of Health Research February 3, 2020 - How can we treat depression when nothing else is working? How can heart growth be both good and bad? How can we increase patient participation in clinical trials? These are just a few of the big questions that researchers at The Ottawa Hospital will
	Intravenous drugs can often rapidly restore normal heart rhythm without sedation, shocks January 30, 2020 - A study published in The Lancet found that two ways of quickly restoring normal heart rhythm in patients with acute atrial fibrillation in the emergency department are equally safe and effective.
	Ottawa doctor recognized as one of the top blood vessel researchers in Canada January 23, 2020 - Dr. Philip Wells has received a major honour recognizing his outstanding contributions to advancing care in blood and blood vessel sciences both in Canada and around the world.
	Study in mice reveals a new target to treat Alzheimer’s disease January 23, 2020 - A new study has found that PTP1B, an enzyme that counteracts insulin and plays an important role in obesity and diabetes, is also a target for treating Alzheimer’s disease. Blocking PTP1B in mouse models of Alzheimer’s restored their spatial memory t
	Liver could be new target for type 1 diabetes research, treatments December 18, 2019 - Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease often diagnosed in children and young adults, but the disease process probably begins much earlier. Dr. Fraser Scott’s team conducted one of the first studies to identify very early defects in the liver
	How likely are you to survive in-hospital cardiac arrest? Newly identified risk factors can help with difficult decisions December 4, 2019 - A paper published in the BMJ is the first to identify risk factors that affect patient survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest. This new information can help patients, families and care providers decide on their care goals upon admission to hospita
	Researchers awarded $1.6M to improve care for cardiovascular disease November 13, 2019 - The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada has awarded $1.6M to researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa.
	Potassium for high blood pressure? Study to test dietary alternatives to medication November 13, 2019 - Drs. Swapnil Hiremath and Marcel Ruzicka are leading a clinical trial to identify the best way for people with high blood pressure to eat more potassium on a regular basis.
	aSAH survivor and her daughter help advance stroke research October 23, 2019 - When 61-year-old Debi Borbridge had an aSAH, a rare form of stroke, little did she know that two years later she and her daughter would be helping to shape the future of research in this field.
	Milestone study will help doctors treat life threatening blood clots October 22, 2019 - Faizan Khan’s research will influence how doctors around the world treat venous thrombosis, the third-deadliest cardiovascular disease. This is a remarkable achievement for a PhD candidate in the early stages of his career.
	How a lucky accident helped spark a new era of depression research October 21, 2019 - It all started with one lucky accident. In the late 1980’s, Dr. Paul Albert was trying to isolate a gene that controls metabolism. Instead, he pulled out a gene that controls motivation and another that controls mood. These two genes became the subje
	Ottawa researcher plays key role in $53-million Alzheimer’s research project September 24, 2019 - Dr. Monica Taljaard is playing a major role in a $53-million project funded by the U.S. National Institute of Aging to improve health care and quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as for their caregivers.
	Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease— newfound hope for treatment September 12, 2019 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are working together to help prevent and treat acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.
	Feature grant: Researchers investigate how cholesterol regulates inflammation in white blood cells August 7, 2019 - Drs. Xiaohui Zha and Alexander Sorisky were awarded $48,000 to test whether cholesterol regulates inflammation in human white blood cells by altering gene expression.
	Study establishes long-term risks and consequences of leg vein clot recurrence July 31, 2019 - Over 750,000 Canadians will have an unexplained vein blood clot in their lifetime, known as venous thrombosis. A collaborative study led by Dr. Marc Rodger and Faizan Khan now provides the best data yet on the long-term risks and consequences of recu
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded 13 grants worth $11.2 million from Canadian Institutes of Health Research July 26, 2019 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have been awarded 13 grants worth a total of $11.2 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The new projects focus on areas such as cancer immunotherapy, hepatitis C infection, blood clots, ar
	Drug for high potassium linked with increase in serious gastrointestinal injury June 26, 2019 - A study led by Dr. Manish Sood found an increased rate of severe gastrointestinal injury among patients taking sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) to treat high potassium levels, a symptoms of chronic kidney disease.
	Feature grant: researchers investigate why women on hemodialysis are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease June 5, 2019 - Drs. Dylan Burger and Marcel Ruzicka were awarded $48,000 to find out why women on hemodialysis seem to be at greater risk of cardiovascular disease.
	$950,000 to help develop stem cell treatments for septic shock, lung injury and muscle degeneration May 17, 2019 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the University of Ottawa are bringing discoveries made in the lab closer to human trials and therapies, thanks to four new peer-reviewed research grants from the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medici
	Clinicians at The Ottawa Hospital launch 14 innovative projects to improve health-care delivery, thanks to funding from TOHAMO and The Ottawa Hospital’s Research Institute March 22, 2019 - The Ottawa Hospital Academic Medical Organization (TOHAMO) has awarded $1.169 million in Innovation Grants to 14 teams, with supporting funds provided by the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
	Preventing blood clots from coming back March 1, 2019 - Dr. Marc Carrier and his colleagues pooled data from more than 22,000 patients around the world to compare the effectiveness of multiple blood thinners to treat venous thromboembolism.
	Enzyme could help develop better approaches to prevent chronic kidney disease March 1, 2019 - An enzyme called Nox5 may help researchers develop new approaches to prevent chronic kidney disease in people with diabetes or high blood pressure, according to a study published in Antioxidants and Redox Signalling.
	Research could help people with cancer avoid life-threatening blood clots February 20, 2019 - In September 2018, Harold Black had trouble catching his breath while singing in his church choir. It turned out he had a life-threatening blood clot – a condition that is more common in people with cancer, like Harold. Today, people with cancer have
	Researchers to advance science and improve health with new CIHR funding February 14, 2019 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, are playing a lead role in nine new projects funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). These projects will advance science and improve health in areas su
	Research shows how good heart growth turns bad January 30, 2019 - More than 17 percent of Canadians have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, a condition that makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood around the body. At first, heart muscle grows to meet the challenge, but eventually this growth becom
	New scientist profile: Dr. Gregory Hundemer wants to improve personalized medicine for high blood pressure January 30, 2019 - High blood pressure is commonly associated with age, diet, exercise and smoking. However, sometimes a hormonal imbalance is to blame. In these cases, diagnosis is more difficult and the health risks are greater, so Dr. Gregory Hundemer hopes to devel
	New scientist profile: Dr. Swapnil Hiremath harnesses science to bust medical myths January 29, 2019 - Dr. Swapnil Hiremath is inspired by his patients to uncover the truth behind medical dogma. For example, he played a lead role in busting the myth that contrast dye should never be used in medical imaging in people with serious kidney disease. He is
	How long do people need to be monitored after fainting? January 21, 2019 - For the first time, physicians in the Emergency Department (ED) have evidence-based recommendations on how best to catch the life-threatening conditions that make some people faint. New research published in Circulation suggests that low-risk patient
	Antidepressants and exercise in stroke recovery: surprising results from new mouse study March 2, 2018 - Exercise and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective in treating certain kinds of depression, but little research has tested them together in post-stroke depression, which affects 20 to 80 percent of stroke survivors. Drs. Pau
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded $12.7M for research, double the national CIHR success rate January 30, 2018 - Sixteen research groups at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded $12.7 million in the most recent project grant competition from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This represents a success r
	Pre-treated cells boost blood vessel repair November 29, 2017 - Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) are stem-like cells found in umbilical cord blood that help repair damaged blood vessels. They may hold promise for the treatment of stroke, heart attack and blocked leg arteries. However, their rate of bloo
	When is a headache a sign of a deadly brain bleed? Ottawa rule could improve diagnosis and save lives November 13, 2017 - More than 150,000 people visit Canadian emergency departments each year because of a headache. While it usually isn’t serious, in 1-3 percent of cases a bad headache can be a sign of dangerous bleeding in the brain, also called subarachnoid hemorrhag
	Stem cells for septic shock: world-first trial establishes safety, sets stage for larger trial November 2, 2017 - Stem cells are usually thought of as the building blocks of the body – able to give rise to all our cells and organs. But Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre, Dr. Duncan Stewart, Dr. Dean Fergusson and their colleagues are testing the idea that certain stem cells
	How to trick your heart into thinking you exercise: cardiotrophin improves heart health and repairs damage in lab models August 4, 2017 - Researchers have discovered that a protein called cardiotrophin 1 (CT1) can trick the heart into growing in a healthy way and pumping more blood, just as it does in response to exercise and pregnancy. They show that this good kind of heart growth i
	Researchers turn back the clock to watch aging in fast forward July 20, 2017 - Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic disease that resembles rapid aging, with young children displaying hardened blood vessels, fragile bones and wrinkles among other symptoms. It usually results in death during the teenage
	Midwife’s question inspires study on best blood clot treatment July 11, 2017 - Midwife Elizabeth Fraser wanted to know how to reduce her risk of blood clots during pregnancy, and inspired a study that could help others with her rare condition. Elizabeth Fraser jokes that she had one of the world’s most-planned pregnancies.
	New treatment for our sickest patients comes closer to reality June 30, 2017 - The Ottawa Hospital was one of the top sites for enrolling patients in an international clinical trial of a promising new treatment for shock. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that a naturally-occurring protein calle
	Researchers get $558K boost from Heart and Stroke Foundation June 15, 2017 - Two scientists from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa were successful in the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s recent grant-in-aid grant competition. Dr. Baptiste Lacoste was awarded $259,000* to test whether drugs that are already used
	Could stem cells heal premature lungs, fight infections, build muscles and strengthen bones? May 25, 2017 - Ottawa researchers closer to finding out, thanks to $1.5 million from the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the University of Ottawa are bringing discoveries made in the lab closer to huma
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded 18 research grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, worth $10.7 million May 19, 2017 - Eighteen research groups at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded nearly $11 million in the most recent project grant competition from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This represents a suc
	New blood thinner better at preventing recurrent blood clots than aspirin March 18, 2017 - An international research team with prominent Canadian leadership has found that the blood thinner rivaroxaban is as safe as aspirin, and more effective at preventing recurrence of life-threatening blood clots in the legs and lungs, according to a
	Could tiny bits of kidney cells in the urine be a potential warning sign of kidney disease? February 2, 2017 - Dr. Dylan Burger and his team have discovered that people with type 1 diabetes have more kidney microparticles in their urine than those without diabetes. These tiny pieces of cells released into the body by injured or dying cells have the potentia
	Access to kidney transplants unequal across Ontario: study January 9, 2017 - A study published in the American Journal of Transplantation found that chronic dialysis patients in Ontario have unequal access to kidney transplants. These patients with kidney failure will be on dialysis their whole lives unless they receive a
	“Invaluable” study confirms blood thinners don’t prevent recurrent pregnancy complications October 18, 2016 - Two years ago, Dr. Marc Rodger thought he had settled the debate about the use of blood thinners in pregnant women at high risk of developing blood clots. His trial of 292 women in five countries – the largest of its kind – definitely showed that t
	Can pneumonia cause inflammation in the blood vessels? Researchers get $153,000 grant to find out. October 5, 2016 - Drs. Vicente Corrales-Medina and Girish Dwivedi were awarded $153,000 from the Heart and Stroke Foundation to investigate whether pneumonia can cause inflammation in the arteries of older patients. Their team previously found that after patients ov
	Study finds large number of home blood pressure monitors are inaccurate July 13, 2016 - A retrospective study led by Dr. Swapnil Hiremath found that almost a third of the home blood pressure monitors used by patients at The Ottawa Hospital were inaccurate. Home blood pressure devices are typically validated by the manufacturer based
	$530,000 grant to find Canadians’ most important risk factors for dementia March 30, 2016 - Drs. Doug Manuel and Peter Tanuseputro have been awarded a $530,000 grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to build models that will predict dementia incidence and the future burden of the disease on the Canadian population.
	Could an algorithm help treat bleeding strokes? March 2, 2016 - Intracerebral hemorrhages, or bleeding strokes, kill approximately 500 people in Ontario each year. One in three victims are still bleeding when they arrive at the hospital and could potentially be helped by experimental drugs that promote blood
	When drugs don’t work: research spares kidney transplant patients from unnecessary risks January 21, 2016 - Ottawa Resident Jim Ward, who received a kidney transplant from his brother in 2001, took part in an important eight-year study that showed a commonly prescribed drug doesn’t work nearly as well as previously thought and could potentially harm k
	Stem cell therapy shows promise in small clinical trial for rare lung disease July 20, 2015 - Canadian researchers have published promising results of the first clinical trial in the world of a genetically-enhanced stem cell therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This rare and deadly disease mainly affects young women, and i
	Study could reduce unnecessary cancer screening June 22, 2015 - Large clinical trial shows CT scanning does not improve cancer detection in people with unexplained blood clots A large clinical trial led by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa has found that contrary to expectati
	Hospitalized for pneumonia? Your risk of cardiovascular disease is higher: study January 20, 2015 - Ottawa – Your chance of having a heart attack or stroke increases significantly if you have been hospitalized for pneumonia, according to a paper published today in the influential JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). "The main conc
	Silent strokes more common than thought; and a major cause of dementia July 9, 2014 - Dr. Antoine Hakim has published a perspective piece in the prestigious journal Nature concerning “covert” or “silent” strokes that occur in people without producing the usual signs and symptoms of an overt stroke. As part of a special edition of Natu

Researchers

Name	Scientific appointment	Diseases, conditions and populations of interest	Research and clinical approaches
Allan, David MD FRCPC	Scientist (CR)	Blood cancer, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Cell therapy, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Systematic reviews, Transfusions, Translational research, Transplantation
Aviv, Richard MBChB, FRCR (UK), FRCPC, dABR	Clinician Investigator (NS)	Brain and neuromuscular disease, Brain cancer, Head and neck cancer, Multiple sclerosis, Stroke, Subarachnoid hemorrhage, Traumatic brain injury, Vascular cognitive impairment, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	3D printing, Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Big data, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Clinical research, Cluster randomized trials, Disease models, Health economics, Health technology, Imaging, Patient safety, Quality Improvement, Translational research
Brand, Marjorie PhD	Senior Scientist Affiliate (RM)	Blood cancer, Sickle cell anemia, Thalassemia, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Bioinformatics, Disease models, Epigenetics, Gene expression, Genomics, Imaging, Model organisms, Molecular and cellular biology, Proteomics, Stem cells, Systems biology, Transgenic/knockout models
Burger, Dylan PhD	Senior Scientist (ICD)	Aging, Diabetes, Heart disease, Hypertension, Kidney disease, Maternal and fetal health, Obesity, Thrombosis / thromboembolism, Type 1 diabetes, Vascular cognitive impairment, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Basic research, Biomarkers, Disease models, Exercise, Extracellular vesicles / exosomes, Imaging, Model organisms, Molecular and cellular biology, Pharmacology, Proteomics, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Transgenic/knockout models, Translational research
Burns, Kevin MD CM, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (ICD)	Diabetes, Kidney disease, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Basic research, Biomarkers, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Disease models, Extracellular vesicles / exosomes, Gene expression, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Transgenic/knockout models, Translational research
Chen, Hsiao-Huei PhD	Senior Scientist (NS)	Aging, Autism, Dementia, Depression, Heart disease, Maternal and fetal health, Mental health, Tourette's, Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's, Anxiety, Diabetes, Obesity, Schizophrenia, Stroke, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Disease models, Drug development, Gene expression, Neuro-stimulation, Optogenetics, Transgenic/knockout models, Basic research, Molecular and cellular biology, Translational research
Corrales Medina, Vicente MD	Clinician Investigator (ICD)	Pneumonia, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Clinical research
Eissa, Mohamed MBBCh, MSc, MD, EDAIC, FRCPC, Advanced PTEeXAM	Clinician Investigator (ACR)	Heart disease, Maternal and fetal health, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Anesthesiology
Fergusson, Dean PhD, MHA, FCAHS	Program Director and Senior Scientist (MIR)	Cancer, COVID-19, Kidney disease, Septic shock, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Clinical trials, Health services research, Health technology, Patient engagement, Pragmatic trials, Surveys, Translational research, Biostatistics, Clinical research, Cluster randomized trials, Cohort studies, Critical care, Health research methods, Qualitative methods, Quality Improvement, Systematic reviews, Transfusions
Fiedorowicz, Jess MD, PhD	Scientist (NS)	Bipolar, Mental health, Suicide, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Clinical research, Epidemiology
Gage, Blair PhD	Scientist (RM)	Bleeding disorders, Diabetes, Liver cancer, Liver disease, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Basic research, Bioinformatics, Cell therapy, Disease models, Gene expression, Gene therapy, Genetics, Genomics, Model organisms, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research, Transplantation
Hiremath, Swapnil MD, MPH, FASN	Associate Scientist (ICD)	Diabetes, Health in older peoples, Heart disease, Hypertension, Kidney disease, Population health, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Epidemiology, Health services research, Imaging, Pharmacology, Pragmatic trials, Public health, Quality Improvement, Systematic reviews
Hundemer, Gregory MD, MPH	Associate Scientist (ICD)	Heart disease, Hypertension, Kidney disease, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Biomarkers, Clinical research, Cohort studies
Klein, Ran PhD	Clinician Investigator (MIR)	Cancer, Heart disease, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Biomarkers, Clinical decision rules, Health technology, Imaging
Lalu, Manoj MD, PhD, FRCPC	Scientist (ACR)	Blood cancer, COVID-19, Heart disease, Stroke, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Anesthesiology, Basic research, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Disease models, Health research methods, Model organisms, Patient engagement, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research
Manuel, Douglas MD, MSc, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (MIR)	Aging, Alzheimer's, Cancer, COVID-19, Dementia, Diabetes, Frailty, Global health, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Health in older peoples, Immigrant and refugee health, Infectious disease, Obesity, Parkinson's, Population health, Stroke, Vascular cognitive impairment, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Big data, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Digital and mobile health, Epidemiology, Health research methods, Health services research, Prevention, Public health
Santos, Marlise MD (FRCPC), MSc, MPH	Clinician Investigator (NS)	Alzheimer's, Anxiety, Ataxia, Autoimmune disease, Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, Blood cancer, Brain and neuromuscular disease, Brain cancer, Cancer, Concussion, Dementia, Depression, Global health, Head and neck cancer, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Infectious disease, Intellectual disabilities, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Population health, Sickle cell anemia, Spinal cord injury, Stroke, Subarachnoid hemorrhage, Thrombosis / thromboembolism, Traumatic brain injury, Traumatic injuries, Vascular cognitive impairment, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Behaviour, Biostatistics, Cancer biotherapeutics, Clinical decision rules, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Critical care, Epidemiology, Health economics, Health research methods, Health services research, Health technology, Imaging, Patient safety, Pragmatic trials, Prevention, Public health, Qualitative methods, Quality Improvement, Shared decision making, Surgery, Surveys, Systematic reviews
Stanford, William PhD	Senior Scientist (RM)	Aging, Blood cancer, Cancer, COVID-19, Lung cancer, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Systems biology
Stewart, Duncan MD, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (RM)	COVID-19, Heart disease, Pulmonary hypertension, Septic shock, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Extracellular vesicles / exosomes, Stem cells, Cell therapy, Clinical trials, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Translational research
Thiruganasambandamoorthy, Venkatesh MBBS, CCFP-EM, MSc	Senior Scientist (ACR)	Cardiac arrest, COVID-19, Heart disease, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Clinical decision rules, Clinical research, Emergency medicine, Epidemiology, Health services research
Thornhill, Rebecca PhD	Clinician Investigator (MIR)	Cancer, Heart disease, Stroke, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Biomarkers, Biostatistics, Imaging, Patient safety
Zha, Xiaohui Ph.D.	Senior Scientist (ICD)	Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Molecular and cellular biology

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