Drs. Dylan Burger and Marcel Ruzicka Drs. Dylan Burger and Marcel Ruzicka were awarded $48,000 to find out why women on hemodialysis seem to be at greater risk of cardiovascular disease. This Translational Research Grant was funded by the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute ($20,000), the Department of Medicine ($20,000) and the Division of Nephrology ($8,000) in November 2018. The team previously discovered that microparticles shed by injured or activated cells can damage the lining of blood vessels, a common early event in cardiovascular disease. They also found that women on hemodialysis had twice as many microparticles in their blood as men on hemodialysis. In this new study, the researchers will measure microparticle levels in 80 patients on hemodialysis to validate these findings. Then the team will test these microparticles in the lab to see what effect they have on blood vessels. Over the last four years, the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute has provided more than $275,000 in matching funds for partnership grants with the Department of Medicine, the Faculty of Medicine and TOHAMO. This is possible because of fundraising events like THE RIDE and unrestricted donations to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.
The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion
The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.
University of Ottawa: —A crossroads of cultures and ideas
The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca
Media Contact
Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca
