Three research programs are being launched collaboratively between CIHR's Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH) and NIH's National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The programs will address novel strategies to resuscitate heart attack and trauma patients; cellular and molecular imaging of heart, lung, and blood systems; and management of thrombotic disorders such as heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. Each program will be conducted at multiple sites in Canada and in the United States for several years, beginning in 2004.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, contributing to more than 16.6 million deaths -- one-third of all deaths -- each year. CVD is becoming increasingly prevalent in developing countries and, by 2010, CVD is expected to kill more people in developing countries than infectious disease, according to the World Health Organization.

"This unique programmatic collaboration will bring together scientists who are international leaders in their fields to unravel the complexities of circulatory and respiratory illness. I am very hopeful that this is the first of many collaborative efforts between our two institutes," said Dr. Bruce McManus, ICRH Scientific Director. "We are also pleased to have the support of other Canadian partners in this collaboration like the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The latter partnerships are crucial for our success in advancing these North American programs."

NHLBI Director Dr. Claude Lenfant added, "These first research initiatives reflect a cooperative spirit between our two countries, enabling us to create a synergy in our efforts to exten
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Contact: NHLBI Communications Office
301-496-4236
NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
28-Aug-2003