Dr. Wells and Dr. Tang Recognized With National Research Award
Two Faculty of Medicine professors have been named recipients of the 2011 CIHR-CMAJ Top Achievements in Health Research. Dr. George Wells and Dr. Anthony Tang were recognized for their research on resynchronization therapy (CRT) and implantable defibrillators to reduce cardiac mortality rates, leading to changes in clinical care for patients with mild to moderate heart failure.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) partner annually to host a national competition celebrating achievements in health research in Canada. Researchers are evaluated and awarded for improving the understanding of health and human diseases, improving the health of Canadians and others worldwide, and/or providing solutions for more effective health products and services. For the 2011 competition, six research teams across Canada were selected as the award recipients by an international review committee.
Over a period of seven years, Dr. Wells and Dr. Tang followed approximately 1,800 patients in Canada, Europe and Australia to study the effects of next-generation pacemakers on cardiac patients. The advanced pacemakers, known as CRT devices, were previously reserved for patients with severe heart failure. Their research proved that the devices, coupled with a previously implanted defibrillator, benefitted patients with less severe heart failure and significantly reduced mortality and rates of admission to hospitals.
“This is one of the largest and longest clinical trials of this type conducted in Canada and one of the first in this area to show a reduction in mortality rates,” said Dr. Wells. “The results of this study will have an immediate impact on patients with mild heart failure by extending and improving quality of life.”
Dr. Wells is a professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicin, and the Department of Medicine. Dr. Tang is an adjunct professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, a clinical researcher with the University of Victoria and professor at the University of British Columbia. They are both researchers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.