Millions impacted by new standardized approach

May 1, 2009

Dr. Matthias Friedrich

A University of Calgary doctor has developed international guidelines for the use of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR). CMR is used to diagnose a commonly occurring inflammation of the heart known as myocarditis.

The new guidelines will benefit millions of people because CMR simplifies making a diagnosis says Dr. Matthias Friedrich. “What we are doing here in Calgary has been shown by research to be the best protocol and the consensus group has now agreed to recommend its use worldwide.”

It took 17 authors two and a half years to put the protocols together. Although research in Calgary has shown the value of the guidelines, the protocols will be new for other centres across Canada, as well as around the world. The new guidelines are published in the April 28th edition of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, a high impact and prestigious medical journal.

“It will make it safer for the patient because an invasive procedure can be avoided and it will speed up the diagnosis process. Before CMR came along, making a diagnosis was only possible by performing a biopsy,” says Dr. Friedrich, an Associate Professor in the Departments of Cardiac Sciences, Medicine, and Radiology at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Medicine, and director of the Stephenson Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Centre at the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta.

Blair Cashin was surprised to be experiencing chest pain because he is only 29-years-old, and there is no history of heart disease in his family. But when he went to the hospital and was diagnosed with myocarditis he was thankful doctors used CMR. “If I wouldn’t have had a CMR I wouldn’t have known what was wrong,” says the new father. “I am lucky I was here in Calgary where they could detect it early, and I’ll have the ability to recover from this.”

“These guidelines will be instrumental in the advancement of patient care for individuals with myocarditis throughout Alberta and indeed the world,” says Dr. Stephen Duckett, President & Chief Executive Officer, Alberta Health Services. “High-calibre clinical expertise remains one of our province’s most valued resources, as demonstrated by Dr. Friedrich and everyone involved in the development of this important, made-in-Alberta protocol. Albertans can be proud of our significant contributions to health care in Canada and on the world stage.”

Stephenson Cardiovascular MR Centre

Opening its doors in March 2005, the Stephenson Cardiovascular MR Centre was the first CMR centre in Canada, and continues to be the leading cardiovascular magnetic resonance facility in the country. It is currently one of the top five centres globally as measured by the number of patient studies. Research from the Stephenson Cardiovascular MR Centre complements other strengths of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta. According to the Canadian Institute of Health Information, Calgary has the highest heart attack survival rates in the nation.

Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta

The Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta coordinates all cardiovascular science research, education and patient care within both Alberta Health Services – Calgary Health Region and the University of Calgary. The Libin Institute has 150 primary members – both researchers and clinicians - and coordinates the activities of 1,500 individuals throughout Southern Alberta. It serves a population of over 1.9 million people in Southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Eastern British Columbia. For more information, visit www.LibinInstitute.org.

About the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary

The U of C's Faculty of Medicine is a national leader in health research with an international reputation for excellence and innovation in health care research, education and delivery. Through its educational programs, the Faculty of Medicine trains the physicians and scientists who will lead the next generation of health practitioners. Through its clinical work, continuing medical education programs, and close relationship with Alberta Health Services, the Faculty of Medicine moves new treatments and diagnostic techniques from the laboratory bench to the hospital bedside efficiently and effectively, improving patient care. For more information visit http://medicine.ucalgary.ca. or follow us on twitter.com @UofCMedicine.

Alberta Health Services

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.5 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.