For International Women’s Day 2016, the theme was Pledge for Parity. When it comes to recognizing and treating heart health issues, there is clearly a need to bring women’s care up to par. This month, the European Society of Cardiology showed that women who had a cardiac arrest in public were less likely to receive life-saving support from bystanders than men in the same situation. In fact, women were more likely to experience cardiac arrest in the presence of bystanders, but still received help less often than men. But it’s not just the general public – the Globe and Mail tells this tale of a woman who went to the ER with symptoms of a heart attack but was diagnosed as having acid reflux and sent home. And former Olympic figure skater Isabelle Brasseur suffers from vasodepressor syncope, but lived for 20 years with an incorrect diagnosis of epilepsy before doctors recognized and properly treated her heart condition. There is still a widely-held and false assumption that ‘women don’t get coronary artery disease’ and it is adversely affecting the quality of care that women receive. Luckily, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute is tackling these issues head-on at the Canadian...

Here’s the latest Roundup of arrhythmia-related news, events and stories that caught our eye. Are you or your care-recipient struggling to make healthier choices? The New England Journal of Medicine recently hosted “Patient Engagement: Behavioral Strategies for Better Health“. It’s geared towards health care professionals, but the content is helpful for everyone – especially Topic 1: Health Behaviors and Habits. (Note: you need to register to watch the video.) Experts recommend approaching such changes by setting small, achievable goals. The Heart & Stroke Foundation is here to help, with tips for Healthy Eating, Made Easy. Jakub Voracek of the Philadelphia Flyers is promoting awareness about sudden cardiac arrest! Everytime the Flyers win in sudden death overtime, Voracek is donating $1,000 to Simon’s Fund, a charity dedicated to raising awareness about the conditions that lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death in young athletes and children. Follow the hashtag #ACzechforHearts for details. What have we been up to? CANet Network Investigator Dr. Robert Hamilton is quoted in this article, Young ICD Recipients Often Face Complicated Course. Dr. Robert Sheldon, a CANet Network Investigator and the Syncope Track Captain, discussed research findings in this piece: Driving and Vasovagal Syncope? Serious Accidents, Harm...

(Montreal, February 15, 2016) Baylis Medical’s new streamlined transseptal system, licensed in Canada, comprised of a radiofrequency active pigtail guidewire and a steerable sheath, brings new possibilities to patients suffering from heart failure. Dr. Jaimie Manlucu, treating physician, CANet Investigator, and member of the Arrhythmia Service at London Health Sciences in London, Ontario noted that a significant number of heart failure patients who are candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) often have suboptimal outcomes with conventional implant techniques.  Placing CRT pacing wires into the left heart through the atrial septum is a promising alternative approach, but can be challenging without dedicated tools. “This innovative transseptal system from Baylis Medical is the first commercially available apparatus that optimizes transseptal access from an alternate superior approach,” said Dr. Manlucu. “Streamlining the transseptal aspect of the implant procedure allows us to provide this therapy in a reliably safe and efficient way.” “We are pleased to have developed this streamlined access method to the left atrium that enables physicians to deliver their therapies.” said Kris Shah, president of Baylis Medical. “Access to CANet’s leading-edge network of investigators allows us to validate our therapies and move them to the market – and bring relief to...

Did you know that cardiac arrest and a heart attack are not the same thing? Cardiac arrest is usually caused by abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias. Using an automated external defibrillator is the best way to shock the heart back into rhythm. During a heart attack, a blockage has caused the heart to slow, but it typically continues to beat. Prompt treatment is critical, to prevent extensive damage to the victim’s heart. Do you need an easy way to remember the difference? Cardiac arrest is a problem with the electrical system, and a heart attack is a problem with the plumbing. Knowing the difference, and being prepared to offer the best, most appropriate first aid could save a life. Reducing Canada’s sudden cardiac death rate by 10% is one of CANet’s primary targets. Click here to learn more about CANet’s plan to address arrhythmia care in Canada.

On October 13, 2015, Claire Crawford was playing in a high school volleyball match when she went into cardiac arrest. Well-trained and quick-thinking staff called 911, started performing chest compressions, and retrieved the on-site automatic external defibrillator (AED) to defibrillate (“shock”) the heart back into rhythm. Claire’s parents had set up a camera in the stands to film the game and recorded the entire event. Click here to watch it, but be warned that you may find the footage graphic. Eleven minutes after Claire collapsed, paramedics arrived on the scene. Without the trained staff and the access to an AED, this story likely would have had a tragic ending. It didn’t, because staff initiated the first three steps in the cardiac chain of survival. Up to 40,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur in Canada each year – that’s one every 12 minutes. If the victim does not have access to immediate treatment, most outcomes will be fatal. But, according to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, when someone immediately begins CPR, and an AED is available, the chance of survival may be increased by 75 per cent or more. And use of an AED combined with CPR and emergency medical...

February is Heart Month! How will you celebrate? You could join the University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s new Heart2Hearts campaign – make a pledge to take on a heart-healthy challenge and support the Institute. You could canvass for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or find other creative ways to offer support, like Diana Hannah has by donating a portion of the sales of her book. In between fundraising activities, you could sit back and read about Larry Bird’s arrhythmia issues, and the differences between an athletic and a non-athlete’s heart. You can even help the cause just by going to a hockey game! If you’re in Saskatchewan, go to the Estevan Bruins game on February 12, or check out these Manitoba Junior Hockey League games. Or if you feel like dressing up, check out Norton’s Razzle Dazzle Gala in Charlottetown, or the Heart Beat Gala in Timmins.   However you choose to mark the occasion, have an active and heart-healthy month!

Here is our latest roundup of arrhythmia-related news and stories that caught our eye. Earlier this week, Shimon Peres was released from the hospital after suffering from an arrhythmia. Learn about more celebrities who suffer from heart rhythm problems here. Famous people – they’re just like us! The future is now! Read about researchers at Columbia University who use electrical signals to train the heart’s muscle cells. Are you a woman who has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation? Be vigilant, because this study indicates that AF is associated with worse outcomes in women than in men. Here is an interesting read about preventing sudden cardiac arrest in kids. (Click here to read about some CANet Network Investigators who are focussed on preventing sudden cardiac arrest.) One of the best ways to prevent sudden cardiac death is to be prepared. Here is a story about soccer teammates who saved a player’s life with proper training and an AED (automated external defibrillator). Have a great week!

It’s a new year and we’ve got a new batch of arrhythmia-related news, events and stories that caught our eye. Medtronic (a CANet partner) has great information for patients with atrial fibrillation or at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. This new study points to increased instances of cognitive impairment in people with permanent AF. Fabrice Muamba, a former English “footballer”, has launched a campaign to honour the man who saved his life when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a game in 2012. Notwithstanding references to hearts skipping a beat, there aren’t many poems written about arrhythmia. “Ablation” by Helen Mort a beautiful example of one, though. In case you missed it, click here to learn some practical tips for meeting your healthy living goals in 2016.

If you suffer from an arrhythmia, your doctor has probably explained that many arrhythmias are treatable via lifestyle changes, medication, surgery, or other procedures (Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada). Your personal course of treatment will depend on the extent and frequency of your condition. As we all know, “lifestyle changes” sounds like the easiest prescription, but it’s probably the hardest one to adopt. Whether your goal is to cut out caffeine, eat more fruits and vegetables, or become more physically active, the key is to incorporate that change into your daily life and make it a habit. James Clear, a writer who has focused his work behavioral psychology, habit formation, and performance improvement, has developed this guide for building a new habit. He has found that it’s critical to break things down into small, achievable goals, and to be patient – with yourself and with your progress. Especially interesting is the “Seinfeld Strategy” for keeping your momentum. If you find the new habits particularly difficult to adopt, here are some creative tips from Psychology Today for keeping yourself motivated: Pay yourself every time you meet one of your goals Create if-then plans (if I do ___, then I will...

We are excited to announce that CANet has joined the Imaging Network of Ontario Consortium (ImNO). ImNO has been running for 15+ years, with the goal of positioning Canada as an internationally-recognized country in medical imaging. That goal is strengthened by an annual symposium of imaging consortia, and ImNO is inviting CANet members to submit abstracts and scientific posters for its upcoming symposium in Toronto in March 2016. ImNO has four outstanding keynote speakers but the one CANet members may find of interest is Saman Nazarian, MD, PhD, from John Hopkins Hospital, who will be talking about “The Utility of Advanced Imaging for Ablation of Complex Arrhythmia Circuits.” This meeting promotes collaborations, broadcasts career opportunities, and informs trainees on diverse imaging applications. For more details please visit the ImNO website. We hope to see you there!