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Can pneumonia cause inflammation in the blood vessels? Researchers get $153,000 grant to find out.


October 5, 2016


Drs. Vicente Corrales-Medina and Girish Dwivedi were awarded $153,000 from the Heart and Stroke Foundation to investigate whether pneumonia can cause inflammation in the arteries of older patients. Their team previously found that after patients over 65 had developed pneumonia, their risk of cardiovascular disease rose two- to four-fold. The biological reason for this is currently unknown. Studies in animal models suggest that pneumonia can increase inflammation of the arteries, which has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease. The research team will further investigate this possibility by comparing the artery inflammation levels in pneumonia patients over age 65 with those of patients who have not had pneumonia. This is one of five Heart and Stroke Foundation grants recently awarded to researchers at The Ottawa Hospital / uOttawa.

Co-investigators: Monica Taljaard, Robert DeKemp, Lionel Zuckier, Robert Beanlands

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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


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For further information, please contact


Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca