Research at MHI
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The Montreal Heart Institute (MHI) is a
hospital specializing in cardiovascular diseases. Its
mission is to develop tertiary care in advanced
cardiovascular medicine, a mission which involves
important clinical, educational and research
activities.
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Cardiovascular diseases remain the most important
cause of death in North America, despite a gradual and continuous
reduction in mortality. Progress over the last three decades has
been made possible by extensive research into prevention and
treatment.
MHI researchers have contributed to these important
developments by participating in several crucial discoveries. The
tradition of research at the Institute dates back to its
foundation in 1954. The Research Center opened officially in 1976
and it has played a central role in research at the MHI. The
Center encourages the complementarity of basic and clinical
research by coordinating activities while offering a dynamic
infrastructure that facilitates research activities and promotes
collaboration, thereby creating an environment favoring
synergistic interactions. The main research axes of the Center
are: coronary artery disease, preventive cardiology,
cardiovascular electrophysiology and heart failure. Research into
and the development of new cardiovascular technology and
biotechnology have been an important preoccupation.
The Montreal Heart Institute is affiliated with the
University of Montreal. Most of the Center's researchers are
members of the faculty of this University. Some also teach at
McGill University and at the Université du
Québec à Montréal. The Center
directs a variety of multicenter trials and collaborates with
other research centers in Canada and throughout the world. It has
several joint programs and exchanges with American and European
universities. A tradition of cooperation with the private sector
is well established.
A major expansion project has recently been
completed. The Center tripled in size in the spring of 1995. This
expansion provided the space necessary for optimizing existing
activities and enabled the recruitment of several key researchers
working in fields such as molecular biology, vascular biology,
bioepidemiology and biostatistics. Further expansion of the
Research Center is now being planned for our Clinical Trial
Coordinating Center and the development of research groups
working on oxidative stress, biomarkers and pharmacogenomics. At
the beginning of the third millenium, the Research Center is in
an excellent position to participate actively in the development
of biomedical research. In view of the strong reputation of its
faculty and the excellent research facilities available, the
Research Center has become an important training ground for
graduate and postdoctoral students as well as clinical research
fellows.
Jean-Claude Tardif, M.D.
Director, Research Center
