Institute pioneers life-saving cardiac arrhythmia research

Cardiac arrhythmias, or problems of the heartbeat, impact quality of life, and are linked to sudden cardiac arrest, which can be fatal. An estimated 35,000 Canadians experience sudden cardiac arrest each year and fewer than 10 per cent of these people survive. 

The Libin Cardiovascular Institute has established a world-class team of researchers who are working tirelessly to discover new ways to prevent and treat cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. This work is supported by generous philanthropy and promises a bright future for patients with and at risk of arrythmias. Continue reading for a sneak peak into some of the key accomplishments of the Libin’s arrhythmia research team and its vision for the future.

Dr. Wayne Chen: Offering hope for Canadians at risk of sudden cardiac arrest

Dr. Wayne Chen, the Heart and Stroke Foundation Chair in Cardiovascular Research, published a study in the prestigious journal, Nature Medicine, which described new findings of certain cardiac arrhythmias. These findings offer hope for thousands of Canadians at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. 

Chen co-led a collaborative research project that revealed how a tiny molecule, calmodulin, is one of the key modulators necessary for the opening and closing of the cardiac ryanodine receptor, the heart’s calcium gateway. This receptor is critical for the heart’s electrical system, and understanding the cellular processes behind how it works is the first step in finding ways to prevent cardiac arrest. 

Chen has been recognized as a Clarivate Highly Cited Scholar for his work in mapping the structure of the ryanodine receptor. This list recognizes researchers who have ranked in the top one percent of citations in their field. 

Dr. Robert Rose: Getting to the heart of arrhythmias

Another significant achievement in cardiac arrhythmia research was led by Dr. Robert Rose, who holds the DG Wyse-Libin Professorship in Cardiovascular Research. Rose and his team made a ground-breaking discovery that the body controls heart rate via hormonal regulation of the sinoatrial node (a small, specialized area in the heart that acts as the body’s natural pacemaker). 

His work may help scientists develop treatments for arrhythmias.  

“What is really fascinating is the realization that the heart is so much more than just a pump,” says Rose. “The sinoatrial node is the least-well-understood part of the heart because of its anatomy and small size but sinus node dysfunction is an important factor in many diseases including heart failure due to hypertension.”

Rose’s research team also recently published a paper on atrial arrythmia in AHA Journals. The paper reveals that a natriuretic peptide receptor regulates susceptibility to the most common arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation. 

“This work can also help us understand the likelihood of certain cardiac outcomes and predict who might be at risk for serious cardiac events,” says Rose. “We can use biomarkers to predict outcomes in patients to try to save lives and help people.”

Community Support

The work of the Libin’s arrhythmia researchers was made possible, in part, by the purchasing of a 2P Confocal microscope, imaging equipment that can penetrate through layers of tissue to capture images of what lies beneath. 

The $1.2-million microscope was purchased, in part, from funds raised at the 2017 The Beat Goes on Gala. Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) was the signature sponsor of this event. This is just one example of CPKC’s commitment to the Libin Institute.  

Rose is grateful for partnerships with the community. 

“Discovery science wouldn’t be possible without the support of the local community,” says Rose. “We need each other to make a real impact in the lives of patients.”

Future

Rose is excited about the future of arrhythmia research. He expects technology to continue to develop rapidly, enabling scientists to ask and answer critical question in better, more detailed, and more specific ways. All of this will lead to substantial scientific progress with potential for improving patient care. 

“The future will likely include the development of novel therapeutic approaches based on scientific advances in our understanding of how arrhythmias arise in different conditions and diseases,” says Rose. “We will potentially see advances in patient specific treatments as precision health continues to develop.”

Read more about the Libin Cardiovascular Institute's Top 20 Achievements of the last 20 years here.