In The Media • Cardiovascular Network of Canada — CANet

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In The Media

National study suggests it’s time to rethink how we treat atrial fibrillation

Montreal, Nov. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Doctors researchers from the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI) presented new data today at the American Heart Association Late-Breaking Scientific Sessions. Simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the data shows that catheter ablation may be better than antiarrhythmic drugs at halting disease progression. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, affecting approximately 1 to 2% of the overall population. Treatment guidelines recommend a trial of drug therapy to maintain a normal atrial heart rhythm before catheter ablation is considered. However, these medications have only limited ability to maintain a normal heart rhythm and have substantial side effects. Catheter ablation is considered superior to antiarrhythmic drugs in maintaining normal (sinus) rhythm and improving quality of life in patients in whom drugs have already failed but it was previously unknown whether earlier ablation could prevent the progression of the disease. “By treating patients with catheter ablation right from the start, we see fewer people advancing to more persistent, life-threatening forms of atrial fibrillation,” said Dr Jason Andrade, electrophysiologist affiliated with the MHI, assistant Professor of Medicine, Université de Montréal and lead author of the EARLY-AF study. “This data provides clear evidence...
CANet — Healthcare Tech Outlook

Multidisciplinary Healthcare Network for Enhanced Cardiac Treatment

The concept of patient-centred care still seems to be a pipe dream for many patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it evident that the focus of healthcare often, though unintentional, drifts toward the disease rather than the patient. Despite the many medical innovations that have broadened the value-based care options for almost every disease, patients still have trouble accessing relevant care. Whether it is due to scarcity of medical information, distance from advanced healthcare centers, or high care costs, patients often do not get the right care to effectively treat their diseases. Bridging the gap between patients and advanced care options requires patient-aligned healthcare networks that can seamlessly connect patients with timely and cost-effective medical care. Fulfilling this role for cardiac patients across Canada is the patient-driven, non-profit association, CANet. The company brings together healthcare professionals, patients, academia, government, and not-for-profit organizations to undertake ground-breaking cardiac research and develop powerful digital health tools to improve the care journey of patients. By putting the right tools in the hands of patients at the right time, CANet enables them to manage their complex health conditions. Federally funded in part by Canada’s flagship science and technology program, Networks of Centres of Excellence, CANet...

CTV — Drone defibrillator delivery? Researchers say it may be faster than ambulances.

Researchers in Ontario are attempting to figure out how to deliver life-saving medical supplies in record times by answering a simple question with profound implications: Can an ambulance or a drone reach the scene of a medical emergency faster? To test this, medical personnel simulated a cardiac arrest emergency in a rural area north of Toronto last month in order to see if an ambulance or a drone would reach the pretend patient first. The pilot project’s tests began with a mock 911 call and the dispatch of an ambulance from the Region of Peel’s EMS headquarters in Brampton, Ont. At the same time, a remotely controlled drone carrying an automated external defibrillator (AED) took to the skies from a nearby industrial park. Researchers in Ontario are attempting to figure out how to deliver life-saving medical supplies in record times by answering a simple question with profound implications: Can an ambulance or a drone reach the scene of a medical emergency faster? To test this, medical personnel simulated a cardiac arrest emergency in a rural area north of Toronto last month in order to see if an ambulance or a drone would reach the pretend patient first. The pilot project’s...

Global News — Heart Month: healthy lifestyle can help prevent heart disease, but biology still a factor

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, you may be thinking of filling your heart with people you love, but February is also a month to think about your heart health. It’s Heart Month across the country, and with about 2.4 million Canadian adults affected by heart disease, Canadians are encouraged to learn about their individual risk factors and to make one change to improve their heart health. “Everyone one of us in North American and in Canada is at some risk of developing heart disease,” said Dr. Anthony Tang, CEO and scientific director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Network of Canada (CANet). “For some, the risk is higher, and some of that has to do with how you live your life.” “If you live a healthy life — you eat well, you exercise regularly, you don’t smoke — if you do all those things you [can reduce your risk].” While living a healthy lifestyle can help, Tang said biology can also play a role in your chances of developing heart disease. According to Tang, London leads Canada and the world in heart disease research. Right now, he said, researchers are working to identify who is at a greater risk of developing...

CTV — Catching life-threatening conditions after fainting

Our network investigator Dr. V. Thiruganasambandamoorthy speaks with CTV Morning Live about catching life-threatening conditions after fainting. Watch video: https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1591577

CTV — 2017 CANet Public Forum

Dr. Martin Gardner appeared on CTV Atlantic’s Morning Live to discuss the 2017 CANet Public Forum in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

CTV — Dr. Anthony Tang speaks about CANet

CANet’s Scientific Director, Dr. Anthony Tang, appeared on CTV Atlantic’s Our Housecall. “In the future, we’re going to devise technology to help individuals monitor their own arrhythmic health. And this will come from our network.” -Dr. Anthony Tang
CANet — Cardiac Arrhythmia Network of Canada

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...