Foothills Interventional Research
Cardiovascular research has been an integral part of the Foothills Interventional Cardiology Service since 1981. Our Research Program is under the direction of Dr. Todd Anderson who is one of a few academic Interventional Cardiologists in Canada. It is a nationally reputed research site with a successful, high-volume program, and performance in a large number of research projects.
The research capabilities of the Foothills Interventional Cardiology Service play an important role in bringing patients the most advanced therapies. As expert clinicians and researchers, FICS Interventionalists participate in national and international trials focusing on invasive cardiology, treatment protocols for cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarctions, and others. In keeping with the academic prowess of the group, several physician initiated projects have been operationalized over the years resulting in publications. These projects involve all members of the FICS team and have included collaboration with other medical groups such as Cardiac MRI, Nephrology, Echocardiography, Nuclear Imaging, and Cardiac Surgery. They are involved in many national and international multi-centered trials and continue to be a very involved interventional research group.
APPROACH
The Alberta Provincial Project for Outcome Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease (APPROACH) is an ongoing, prospective data collection initiative that began in 1995. APPROACH collects data for all patients undergoing cardiac catheterization in Alberta. Patients are followed long-term, with information also collected at the time of angioplasty, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and at time of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Hospitals currently using the APPROACH database can access the patient's historical record readily, allowing cardiologists and surgeons to make timely treatment decisions. The database can also generate reports for hospital administrators, health officials and planners, and be used by researchers examining questions of health care in Alberta.
In addition to collecting information at the points mentioned above, a questionnaire is sent to consenting patients one year after their angiogram, and then every second year thereafter. APPROACH researchers use this data to determine long-term clinical, economic, and health status outcomes.
