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QVasC

Queen's University Vascular Research Cluster

Revolutionizing Heart & Stroke Research: Uniting Discovery, Innovation, and Compassion.

Patient-centred solutions

Advancements in Chronic Disease

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

20

Awards

120

Trainees

950+

Publications

3.1

Million in Funding

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Welcome to QVasC, based in Kingston, Ontario. At our core, we are a passionate team dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of vascular diseases. Our interdisciplinary approach brings together experts from various fields, including cardiology, emergency medicine, and obstetrics, to tackle the complex challenges of vascular health. Through cutting-edge research, we strive to uncover new insights into the mechanisms behind vascular diseases and develop innovative strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Our Story

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Vascular disease is the leading cause of death and illness.

Female and Minority patients experience a disproportionate risk. 

The role of mental health and AI in vascular health has yet to be fully explored.

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October 2023: QVasC officially recognized as a Queen's University Research Excellence Cluster

What We Do

Our research is aimed at improving the lives of individuals affected by heart and vascular conditions. With a strong commitment to collaboration, discovery, and patient-centered care, we are proud to be at the forefront of vascular health research in Canada and beyond.

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Meet our Team

Meet the talented and dedicated individuals behind QVasC.

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Current Projects

Read more about our ongoing research

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Resources

Find resources for trainees and upcoming funding opportunities.

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Get Involved

Become a member, donate, or contact us for more information.

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Mental Health

Assessing the multi-system dynamic relationship between brain, vascular, and mental health outcomes. Incorporating and assessing both mental health and socioeconomic parameters with adverse vascular-related outcomes

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Female Vascular Health

Identifying and addressing sex disparities in vascular health outcomes and diagnostic capabilities. Development of a woman’s vascular clinic.

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Indigenous Health

Addressing inequalities in vascular healthcare access and assessing remote delivery of CV-related services. Implementing diagnostic vascular education and training to physicians in remote and rural regions.

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Artificial Intelligence

Advancing vascular risk assessment based on a combination of traditional CV risk factors and novel ultrasound imaging-biomarkers.

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Cardiovascular Emergencies

Creating new methods, technologies, and approaches for preventing and treating cardiovascular emergencies and utilizing point-of-care ultrasound to assess cardiac ischemia in both ER and outpatient settings.

Kingston’s first clinical, broad-based interdisciplinary research group conducting vascular related research at the patient’s bedside

Though our common passion is advancing Clinical Vascular Research together, we target five common themes...

Our Team.

Our core members have a well-established track record of working together including grants,

publications, and co-supervision of trainees. Through an organic process, we recently collated our individual relationships and developed a formal partnership.

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Dr. Amer Johri
MD MSc FRCPC FASE
Cardiology
Research Interests: 
  • 3D echocardiography
  • Point-of-care ultrasound
  • Interventional echocardiography
Read more about Dr. Johri's lab, here.
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Dr. Graeme Smith
MD PhD FRCSC
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Research Interests: 
  • Pre-eclampsia 
  • Adverse pregnancy outcomes as a marker of future health
  • Maternal Health Education and Screening
Dr. Karen Yeates
MD MPH
Nephrology
Research Interests: 
  • Improving access to care
  • Maternal Health
  • Mobile health solutions
  • Non-communicable disease
Dr. Steven Brooks
MD MHSc FRCPC
Emergency Medicine
Research Interests: 
  • Bystander resuscitation for out of hospital cardiac arrest
  • Post cardiac arrest syndrome
  • Technological solutions
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Dr. DJ Cook
MD PhD
Neurosurgery
Research Interests: 
  • Neurological dysfunction related to autonomic nervous system function and vascular regulation
  • Chronic ischemic neurologic function and recovery
Dr. Nazanin Alavi
MD FRCPC
Psychiatry
Research Interests: 
  • e-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Suicidal behaviors related to bullying
  • Improving suicidal risk assessment in the emergency setting.
Read more about Dr. Alavi's lab, here.

Funding & Affiliations

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Recent Publications

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Community Interventions for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Resource-Limited Settings: A Scoping Review

N Grubic, B Hill, KS Allan, KN Dainty, AM Johri, SC Brooks

Read more, here.

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Impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on circulating von Willebrand factor in patients with severe aortic stenosis

SS Varghese, M Hetu, M Bowman, J Herr, M Al-Turki, Z Jaff, P James, P Malik, D Payne, AM Johri

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Depression and Anxiety following Acute Myocardial Infarction in Women

K Liblik, SL Mulvagh, CT Hindmarch, N Alavi, AM Johri

Read more, here.

Read more, here.

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Revolutionizing Vascular Health

Uniting Science, Innovation, and Compassion.

News & Events

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