Ottawa Health Research Institute

Prehabilitation Before Surgery Significantly Reduces Complications and Hospital Stays, Study Shows

4 months ago

A comprehensive evidence review of 186 clinical trials reveals that pre-surgery preparation through diet and exercise can reduce surgical complications by up to 50%. The study, published in The BMJ, demonstrates that patients who engage in "prehabilitation" experience shorter hospital stays and better recovery outcomes.

Hypovolemic Phlebotomy Reduces Transfusion Needs in Liver Surgery

5 months ago

• A clinical trial demonstrates that removing approximately 10% of a patient's blood before liver surgery significantly reduces the need for blood transfusions during the procedure. • Hypovolemic phlebotomy lowers blood pressure in the liver, decreasing blood loss and the risk of requiring a transfusion, potentially benefiting one in eleven patients. • The study, involving 446 participants, found that only 8% of patients undergoing blood draw required transfusion, compared to 16% in the control group. • This safe, inexpensive technique, costing only around $20 in materials, could save healthcare systems money compared to the $350 cost of a blood transfusion in Canada.

Canadian-Developed CAR T-Cell Therapy Targeting CD22 Heads to Clinical Trials

2 years ago

• The National Research Council of Canada has developed a novel CAR T-cell therapy targeting the CD22 protein on B-cell leukemia and lymphoma cells, offering hope for patients who failed previous CD19-targeted treatments. • Clinical trials for this made-in-Canada therapy are expected to begin in late 2023 across Vancouver, Ottawa, and Toronto, focusing on both pediatric and adult lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma patients. • The NRC's approach aims to establish domestic biomanufacturing facilities across Canada, potentially making CAR T-cell therapies more affordable and accessible compared to current imported options that come with high costs and long wait times.