August 15, 2025
St. Boniface Hospital’s Heart Function team is feeling “empowered” these days, because of a first-in-Canada accomplishment. All thanks to you.
In a major milestone on May 20, Cardiac Sciences successfully enrolled the first-ever patient in Canada into the EMPOWER Clinical Trial. This groundbreaking study is exploring a new, minimally invasive treatment for people living with heart failure and mitral regurgitation: a condition in which the heart valve doesn’t close properly.
Up to half of heart failure patients will have mitral regurgitation due to their enlarged hearts. Blood leaks when the valve doesn’t close properly. This reduces the heart’s efficiency and causing fatigue and shortness of breath. It’s a serious condition – up to 40 per cent of people with functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) may die within one year of diagnosis. Medications can help manage symptoms, but they do not treat the root cause of the problem – their enlarged heart. Researchers are looking for a solution to effectively treat both heart failure and mitral regurgitation at the same time.
St. B just took a huge step towards the answer
The EMPOWER trial offers hope to patients through a promising and innovative procedure, called the Carillon Mitral Contour System, that avoids open-heart surgery and compliments existing drug therapies. The procedure uses a small device, inserted through a vein, to gently reshape the problematic heart valve and help it close more effectively. If effective, the procedure can help solve the long-term issue of an enlarged heart by changing the shape of the valve and preventing further enlargement.
This approach has the potential not only to quickly improve a patient’s life, but improve their longevity, risk of future hospitalization, and quality of life years down the road.
“This was an excellent example of the teamwork here at Cardiac Sciences, between the Interventional Cardiology team and the Heart Function team,” said Dr. Shelley Zieroth, Director of the Heart Function Clinic at St. B.
“We need to reach that ‘next step’ in addressing the heart structure and valves. It’s great to be recognized globally as a leader in clinical trials, and even better to have the opportunity to improve the outcomes of thousands of patients with heart failure. This will help them feel better, longer,” she added.
A Milestone Made Possible by You
St. B’s historic achievement would not have been possible without the generosity of donors like you, and the steadfast support of our community. Your contributions have helped fund the research infrastructure, technology, and talent needed to bring this innovative treatment to patients in Canada.
The Hospital continues to lead in advancing heart care, not just in Manitoba, but across the country. The EMPOWER trial is a meaningful example of our commitment to bringing cutting-edge treatments to the people who need them most.