Merging research and care at the MHI

The MHI has been actively carrying out research since it was founded by Dr. Paul David in 1954. Basic research in extracorporeal circulation quickly led to the first open heart operation on a human patient in Canada. This technique became common practice and the focus turned toward experimental pathology and lipid biochemistry.

At the same time, intense clinical research began in the areas of cardiovascular surgery, the diagnosis and treatment of congenital diseases, and techniques for visualizing the coronary arteries.

In addition, research aimed at improving coronarography progressed quickly and led to the development of a femoral approach technique and to the creation of Bourassa catheters, which are widely used around the world.

Begun in 1970, systematic studies of patients who had undergone aorto-coronary bypass surgery and their outcome gained international recognition and are still quoted today.

Next came highly regarded studies on the Prinzmetal variant of angina, the effects of certain medications such as calcium antagonists and thrombolytic agents, among others. This was also the beginning of the Institute's ongoing and fruitful affiliation with the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The early 1980s witnessed Canada's first angioplasties, valvuloplasties, and the use of lasers to treat atherosclerotic lesions.

Basic research efforts were focused on atrial secretory granules, blood platelets and other blood elements, and their role in atherosclerosis, restenosis and cardiac ischemia, coronary physiology, ion channels and cardiac electrophysiology, as well as the early detection of post-transplant rejection.

The study of arrhythmias, the localization of their origin and the effect of medications have been added to the wide range of research conducted at the MHI. Ablation of stess-induced arrhythmogenic foci has been incredibly successful. The experience that the Institute's team has acquired makes it one of the most innovative centres in Canada. The Institute has also initiated and coordinated a number of large multicentre studies.