Canadian Arrhythmia Network established at Western

The new Canadian Arrhythmia Network Cardiac Arrhythmia Network of Canada (CANet), announced Dec. 15 with $26.3 million in federal government funds, will find a home at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

According to a news release from Western, the network will connect more than 100 investigators from across the country aiming to bring “efficiency, accessibility and sustainability to arrhythmia health through innovation,” making London the national centre for research into the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disturbances.

The network will include clinicians, researchers, engineers, patients, industry and government partners.

Dr. Anthony Tang, professor in the Department of Medicine at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, will serve as the network’s scientific director and CEO.

“We want to find innovative solutions to allow arrhythmia patients to have the best possible care,” said Tang, who is also a cardiologist focusing on heart rhythm disorders at London Health Sciences Centre, in a release. “The information and innovations that come out of this network will be applicable to individuals across the country and around the globe.”

London has a history of arrhythmia care and research, according to Western University president Amit Chakma.

“London is home to Canada’s first arrhythmia clinic, first surgical treatment of ventricular tachycardia, and first to commercialize the implantable loop recorder,” he said. “This established environment provides the perfect foundation to host CANet at Western.”

Along with the Government of Canada funding, Western University has committed $1.2 million to support CANet’s research and operations and will house its administrative offices in the Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine.

Source: The Londoner