Research at MHI 

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.

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 Centre opened officially in 1976 and it has played a central role in research at the MHI. The Centre 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 Centre 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 Centre'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 Centre directs a variety of multicenter trials and collaborates with other research centres 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 Centre 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 Centre is now being planned for our Clinical Trial Coordinating Centre and the development of research groups working on oxidative stress, biomarkers and pharmacogenomics. At the beginning of the third millenium, the Research Centre 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 Centre has become an important training ground for graduate and postdoctoral students as well as clinical research fellows.

Jean-Claude Tardif, M.D.
Director, Research Centre