Diastolic Heart Failure Focus of New Alberta Research Program
03/08/2010
Edmonton - A team of researchers and physicians from across Alberta is launching a new research program focused on better diagnosis and treatment of heart failure. Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. In Alberta, there are 80,000 people who have been diagnosed with heart failure.
Alberta HEART, supported by Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions (funded by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Endowment Fund), is inviting Albertans with heart failure to participate in clinical research that seeks to better understand diastolic heart failure – a condition in which the heart fails to relax properly between heartbeats.
“This team was born when we gathered Alberta’s best heart specialists and scientists together and asked them what patient population could most benefit from additional research efforts. We quickly realized that scientific advances in our understanding of diastolic heart failure would have a significant impact on the quality of life for people suffering from heart failure,” says Jason Dyck, PhD, Alberta HEART co-leader, and professor of pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta. “We aren’t just asking for research subjects – we are asking people with heart failure to be our partners in this research project.”
“Heart failure is the leading cause of admission to hospital in Canada,” says Dr. Todd Anderson, Alberta HEART co-leader, and professor of medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary. “As cardiologists, we are good at diagnosing and treating heart failure when it’s caused by the squeezing action of the heart. We aren’t as familiar with heart failure caused by the relaxing action of the heart – something we need to rectify because half of the people we treat for heart failure have diastolic heart failure.”
Alberta HEART is looking to enroll 1000 Albertans in the research program – 500 in Calgary and 500 in Edmonton. Some participants will take part in focus groups to help the team design its research; others will have exercise tests, cardiac MRI, echo tests, and vascular tests. Alberta HEART’s clinical researchers will compare the results of people with systolic heart failure (when the heart’s squeezing action is compromised) with results of people with diastolic heart failure.
“Maybe I wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t done research 50 years ago,” says Murray Copot, an 86 year old Calgarian with diastolic heart failure. “I am volunteering because it will help other people down the road. I am proud to be on this heart research team.”
Stanley McKee, born and raised in Barrhead, now a resident of Edmonton, found himself at U of A Hospital two years ago after he couldn’t catch his breath. “I didn’t have a heart attack – but the doctors found that I had a faulty valve and a blocked artery in my heart,” says McKee. The 74 year old had surgery to repair his heart, and is now living with diastolic heart failure. “The doctors and nurses have been really, really great. The least I can do is volunteer to help with their research,” he adds.
Media contacts: Karen Thomas, Media Relations Specialist, Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions, 1.877.423.5727 x225, 403.651.1112 (cell) karen.thomas@albertainnovates.ca<mailto:karen.thomas@albertainnovates.ca>
Quinn Phillips, Communications Associate, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, 780.248.2048, 780.399.7505 (cell), quinn.phillips@med.ualberta.ca<mailto:quinn.phillips@med.ualberta.ca>
For people with heart failure interested in participating in the research:
A.J. Lawton, Calgary Research Coordinator, 403.944.3487
Marleen Irwin, Edmonton Research Coordinator, 780.492.2960, mirwin@ualberta.ca<file://localhost/x-msg/::21:mirwin@ualberta.ca>
For more information about Alberta HEART contact Bev Armstrong, RN, MBA, 780.492.9883, barmstro@ualberta.ca<file://localhost/x-msg/::21:barmstro@ualberta.ca> or visit www.albertaheartresearch.ca<http://www.albertaheartresearch.ca>
Background
§ In Canada, about half a million people have heart failure.
§ People with heart failure are at high risk for death and endure frequent visits to their family doctor and emergency rooms, often leading to hospitalization.
§ Currently, no proven diagnostic and treatment options exist for people with diastolic heart failure.
§ Alberta HEART has $5 million over five years in support from Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions (funded by the AHFMR Endowment Fund), as well as support from the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta and the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute.
§ The $50 million Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions Interdisciplinary Team Grants Program provides opportunities for collaborative teams of scientists and physicians from across Alberta to join forces to tackle research questions and healthcare challenges in areas of priority for Alberta.
§ Alberta Health and Wellness is contributing $17.5 million, a five-year commitment, to the program.
