Research

The research of the Centre focuses on designing and analyzing clinical trials, developing and assessing outcome measures, assessing genetic statistical methods and procedures, conducting systematic reviews and meta-analysis, and developing and evaluating decision support technologies.

As an analysis coordination and management centre for clinical trials, such as the Resynchronization/defibrillation for Ambulatory Heart Failure Trial (RAFT), research at the Centre revolves around clinical trial design and analysis. The clinical trials include the assessment of pharmacological, device and program interventions for cardiovascular health. Methods based on the experience with designing and conducting clinical trials have been published including recent reports on the assessment of the economic return from controlled clinical trials and methodological design for an economic evaluation.

Development and assessment of outcome measures: Methodological procedures for developing and assessing various outcome measures, in particular surrogate markers used in cardiovascular research. Assessments of the extent and activity of disease and minimal clinically important differences are two areas of particular interest used in clinical research for the evaluation of drugs, devices and programs.

Genetic statistical methods and procedures: Evaluation and implementation of genotype calling algorithms, population stratification and imputation procedures. Design risk prediction models for complex diseases using genetic data with state of the art statistical learning algorithms. Conduct linkage studies for inherited dominant traits. Analyze and evaluate the influence of rare variants on disease. Statistical methodologies for the meta-analysis on genome-wide association study data. Investigate and conduct statistical analyses on epistatic interactions between different loci and gene-environment interactions.

Theory and practice in developing and evaluating decision support technologies: The theory and practice in developing and evaluating decision support technologies for use by either patients or care providers. Methodology and analysis strategies underlying the decision support technologies is of particular interest: decision conflict and evaluation measures for decision aids; methodology for the development of clinical decision rules; and methods and procedures for producing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

Systematic reviews and meta-analysis: Methodological and biostatistical leadership in conceiving, implementing and conducting systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Methodologies for reviewing and analyzing non-randomized studies and statistical methods are of particular interest. Involved in publishing over 50 Cochrane reviews and over 30 systematic reviews in refereed journals, and presenting at national and international workshops on the statistical and methodological procedures for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analysis.

Collaborative Projects

Since 2005, the staff of the Cardiovascular Research Methods Centre have collaborated, or continue to, in the development and conduct of many laboratory and clinical studies, including:

Using Technology to Create a New Chronic Disease Management Model for Francophone Patients
Rubidium-82 - An Alternative Radiopharmaceutical for Myocardial Imaging (RB-ARMI)
Imaging Modalities to Assist with Guiding Therapy and the Evaluation of Patients with Heart Failure (IMAGE-HF)
BRUISE CONTROL: Bridge or Continue Coumadin for Device Surgery Randomized Controlled Trial
“One Number to Call for Consultation” Initiative
Improved Delivery of Cardiovascular Care through Outreach Facilitation
Obstructive Sleep Apnea as a Risk Factor for Clopidogrel Unresponsiveness in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Prevalence, Mechanisms and Possible Influence on Clinical Outcomes
CIHR Emerging Team in Genomics in Screening
Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Post Ablation to Prevent Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation
Perioperative Ischemia Reduction Study (PROSE)
Long-term Effects of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy on LV Remodeling and Ventricular Arrhythmia: The Reverse Remodeling Study
Development of a Canadian Cardiovascular Genetics Centre – the first centre in Canada dedicated to genetics of cardiovascular disease
Genome-wide Scan to Identify Coronary Artery Disease Genes
Effectiveness of Dispatch-Assisted CPR Instructions: An Evaluation of 9-1-1 Calls
A program to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk among Family Members of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
A Randomized Clinical Trial of Prevention of Post Ablation Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation with Valsartan – A Pilot Study
A Survey of Attitudes and Factors Associated with Successful CPR Knowledge Transfer in an Older Population Most Likely to Witness Cardiac Arrest
Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Behavioural Counselling for Exercise Behaviour in Men and Women Following AMI and PCI
Does Androgen Suppression Treatment in Prostate Cancer Reduce Myocardial Blood Flow Reserve? (AST Study)
Improving Compliance with ACS Best Practice Guidelines
Perioperative Myocardial Ischemia in Isolated Systolic Hypertension (PROMISE)
Genetic Influence Predictors of Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Heart Failure
A Systematic Review of Wait Times for Cardiac Services and Procedures
Enhancing Links Between Primary Care Providers, Cardiac Specialists and Francophone Patients Using Novel Technologies
Endocrinology of Cardiac Failure and Inflammation
Using IVR to Improve Disease Management and Compliance with ACS Best Practice Guidelines
RCT Outline: Primary Prevention of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity with L-Carnitine in Patients with Breast Cancer-PPACC – Pilot Study
Treatment and Mechanics in Sudden Death in Heart Failure
Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Motivational Counselling for Exercise Behaviour in Men and Women Following AMI and PCI
Transfusion Reduction and Modified Ultrafiltration after Cardiopulmonary Bypass (TRAM trial) – a Pilot Feasibility Trial
Clinical Relevance of Cardiotomy Blood Salvage during Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Importance of Mechanical Dyssynchrony and Resynchronization Therapy in Advanced Heart Failure Patients
Resynchronization/Defibrillation for Advanced Heart Failure Trial – RAFT
Translating Genetics Discoveries into Appropriate Health Policy and Services: Enhancing Research Capacity and Developing an Interdisciplinary Approach
Outcome and Cost-Effectiveness of FDG PET in LV Dysfunction (PARR2)
Effect of Brain Temperature on Neuropsychological Outcome Following Cardiopulmonary Bypass
The Role of Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Brain Injury during Cardiac Surgery; Feasibility of a Magnetic Resonance Study
Cardiovascular Outcomes Related to Economics (CORE) Group
Canadian Cardiovascular Outcomes Related to Economics (CCORE) Policy Model
Interventions to Promote the Prevention of CVD: Physical Activity for the Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
Blood Conservation using Antifibrinolytics: A Randomized Trial in a Cardiac Surgery Population – the BART study
FDG PET Imaging of Myocardial Viability in an Experienced Center with Access to FDG and Integration with Clinical Management Teams (PARR-2 Sub-study)
Increasing Benefit from Revascularization is Associated with Increasing Amounts of Myocardial Hibernation (PARR-2 Sub-study)
Utility of Myocardial Flow Quantification using 82Rb PET
Myocardial Flow Reserve Measured Using 82Rb PET Predicts Outcomes
FDG PET Imaging Positively Impacts Management Direction And Predicts Outcomes in a Multicenter ‘Real World’ Setting (CADRE)
In-hospital Mortality in 13263 Survivors of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Canada
Complex survey sampling design and estimation for the Champlain Community Heart Health Survey
Cardiac CT & ICES Study: Linking ICES data with Cardiac CT Registry Patients
Adult Congenital Heart Clinic database analysis (CAPS)
Effect of long-term aspirin use on embolic events in infective endocarditis (Multi-Center Aspirin Trial in Infective Endocarditis Sub-study)
Assessment of Cyclosporine Pharmacokinetic Parameters to Facilitate Conversion from c0 to c2 Monitoring in Heart Transplant Recipients
Use of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Canadian and US Survivors of Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest
Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor Gamma 2 and Acyl-CoA Synthetase 5 Polymorphisms Influence Diet Response
CCS/CAR/CANM/CNCS/CanSCMR joint position statement on advanced noninvasive cardiac imaging using positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and multidetector computed tomographic angiography in the diagnosis and evaluation of ischemic heart disease – executive summary
The Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Myocardial Energetics in Patients with Heart Failure and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Reasons for Escalating Pacemaker Implants
Ultrafiltration Reduces Blood Transfusions following Cardiac Surgery: A Meta-analysis
Prevalence and Clinical Implications of Anemia in Congestive Heart Failure Patients followed at a Specialized Heart Function Clinic
Prognostic Value of Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Using 82Rb PET
Frequency of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Neuroendocrine Profiling of Humans Receiving Cardiac Allografts
Early Effects of Statin Therapy on Endothelial Function and Microvascular Reactivity in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Prognostic Significance of Dipyridamole-induced ST Depression in Patients with Normal 82Rb PET Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
Effects of Methylprednisolone and a Biocompatible Copolymer Circuit on Blood Activation during Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Influence of Pro12Ala Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor Gamma2 Polymorphism on Glucose Response to Exercise Training in Type 2 Diabetes
Effect of Perfusionist Technique on Cerebral Embolization during Cardiopulmonary Bypass
BNP-guided Therapy Not Better than Expert's Clinical Assessment for Beta-blocker Titration in Patients with Heart Failure