The field of gene-editing therapy is a rapidly evolving frontier with the potential to transform the treatment of both rare and common diseases. By modifying genetic material to silence or reactivate specific genes, these therapies offer the promise of durable, lifelong health benefits. However, transitioning from laboratory discovery to clinical practice requires navigating a complex […]
The CVC is pleased to announce that Cindy Westerhout, PhD, has been appointed as Adjunct Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at the University of Alberta. Dr. Westerhout currently serves as the Associate Director (Research & Strategy), Clinical Trial Statistics at the CVC and is a co-founder of the Biomedical AnaLytics Studio And Methods Unit (BALSAM). This […]
A myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack, occurs when heart muscle cells die from oxygen deprivation. Type 1 (T1MI) is typically caused by a blood clot within a coronary artery, whereas Type 2 (T2MI) results from an imbalance between oxygen supply and demand in the cardiac tissue. Distinguishing between the two is challenging in practice […]
New research from the STREAM-1 and -2 clinical trials underscores a critical window for treating ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)—a severe heart attack caused by a completely blocked artery. Although the benefits of reperfusion (restoring blood flow) are known to be time-dependent, this study focused on the specific clinical outcomes of performing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI)—an emergency […]
We are pleased to share the 2025 Canadian VIGOUR Centre (CVC) Annual Report, “The Arteries of Innovation.” Much like an arterial system, innovation thrives on the convergence of diverse ideas, circulating insights from a multitude of sources to maintain a vital, continuous flow. At the CVC, we are dedicated to translating complex, high-quality data into […]
Dr. Arnav Agarwal is an academic general internal medicine physician and Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta and University of Alberta Hospital. He completed his medical training and internal medicine residency at the University of Toronto, followed by a clinical fellowship in general internal medicine at McMaster University. He is currently completing a PhD […]
In this JAMA Cardiology viewpoint, Drs. Paul Armstrong, Kevin Bainey, and Christopher Granger argue that total ischemic time—the interval from symptom onset to the restoration of blood flow—is the most critical factor in surviving a severe heart attack, known as an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). While the gold standard treatment is percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), its life-saving […]
Although an interventional cardiology procedure called primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the gold standard for treating a severe heart attack—known as an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)—its success is highly time-dependent. Current oral medications are often absorbed too slowly to provide immediate protection during transit to the hospital and the actual PCI procedure, creating […]
Patients undergoing maintenance dialysis for kidney failure face a substantial risk of cardiovascular disease and death, yet relatively few proven preventive therapies currently exist. To address this gap, an international team—including CVC Faculty Member Dr. David Collister—conducted the ACHIEVE trial, a randomized controlled study investigating whether the heart failure medication spironolactone, as compared to placebo, could reduce […]
For patients experiencing a type of major heart attack known as ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), the standard treatment is a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to clear the blocked artery. However, in about half of these cases, fragments of the blood clot break off and cause new blockages in smaller vessels downstream—a complication known […]
Heart failure (HF) remains a significant public health burden, requiring guideline-directed medical therapies—particularly renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors—to improve survival. However, these life-saving medications frequently cause hyperkalemia (elevated potassium levels), a condition linked to arrhythmias, hospitalization, and mortality. In clinical practice, hyperkalemia often prompts a gradual dose reduction or discontinuation of RAAS inhibitors. Despite available potassium-management […]
In clinical medicine, a “restrictive” blood transfusion strategy—waiting until hemoglobin levels drop significantly before intervening—is typically preferred because it conserves resources without compromising patient safety. However, for patients suffering from anemia and an acute myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack, the ideal transfusion threshold has remained a subject of debate due to a paucity of […]
Despite advances in medical and device therapies that improve quality of life, patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remain at high risk for cardiovascular death and re-hospitalization. To address this persistent challenge, a recent substudy of the VICTORIA trial analyzed comprehensive patient data—including clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, biomarker, and proteomic inputs—to identify distinct patient profiles. Using advanced […]
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a major global health challenge associated with substantial rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Multinational clinical trials of this condition face a significant hurdle: patient demographics, access to high-quality care, and baseline health all vary drastically by region. This regional heterogeneity can skew survival rates and potentially […]
On September 19, 2025, the CVC was pleased to host the 12th annual CVC Colloquium in Calgary, Alberta. The theme for this year’s meeting was “Exploring Strategies for Optimizing Clinical Research in Canada”. The session opened with a keynote address by Dr. Robert Mentz (Duke Clinical Research Institute), who shared his insights on the evolving clinical trial landscape, […]
Although an interventional cardiology procedure called primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the gold standard for treating a severe heart attack—known as an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)—its success is highly time-dependent. Current oral medications are often absorbed too slowly to provide immediate protection during transit to the hospital and the actual PCI procedure, creating […]
Congratulations to Dr. Padma Kaul who has been named the Canada Research Chair in Women and Children’s Cardio-Metabolic Health. The Canada Research Chairs Program is a major investment by the Canadian government that supports top researchers and their teams to generate groundbreaking discoveries in health, engineering, natural sciences, and the humanities. As detailed in The Quad, Dr. Kaul’s […]
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), characterized by the buildup of arterial plaque, is a leading cause of illness and death worldwide. This patient population faces a risk of recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events, underscoring the need for optimal secondary prevention strategies. One such strategy is dual pathway inhibition (DPI) therapy, which combines aspirin with rivaroxaban to […]
Although maternal asthma is a common chronic condition, affecting nearly 10% of pregnant women globally and a known risk factor for childhood asthma, the nuanced impact of different asthma types on newborn health remains understudied. To address this gap, a new study investigated the links between asthma diagnosis during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes like preterm birth, […]
The results of the VICTOR trial were presented at the 2025 ESC Congress and simultaneously published in The Lancet. This large-scale, international, double-blind study enrolled over 6,000 patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) whose condition had not recently worsened. Researchers, including the CVC’s Dr. Justin Ezekowitz, found that vericiguat did not meet […]
