The Canadian Stroke Prevention Intervention Network (C-SPIN) has reached the conclusion of the 5-year funding period provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Seven of the 11 initial studies have been completed and published, with 4 remaining studies (ARTESiA, SCREEN-AF, BRAIN-AF, OCEAN) continuing recruitment. Three additional studies supported by C-SPIN are in progress – the Navigate ESUS Biomarker Study, a study to evaluate stroke risk in perioperative atrial fibrillation (AF) and a substudy to examine the incidence of AF and its predictors within a large population-based cohort study examining cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes (PURE). An additional 14 studies have been supported by C-SPIN awards for junior and mid-career investigators totalling over $1.3 million in support.
Twenty articles in peer-reviewed journals have been published directly from C-SPIN studies and over 600 publications have been generated from junior, mid and senior level investigators related to AF or Stroke since 2014. Over $68 million in industry and academic partnerships has been harnessed to advance Canadian stroke research.
The C-SPIN network will be maintained for another 5 years in a reduced capacity, focusing on knowledge translation from C-SPIN studies; further developing collaborative ties to other related networks such as CANet and CaSTOR; and supporting the remaining studies to their conclusion.
On behalf of the C-SPIN network, we would like to thank the hundreds of collaborators from all disciplines for your expertise, passion for stroke prevention research and enthusiasm for this collaboration across Canada and internationally. Our hope is that the mentorships and support for junior investigators fostered by C-SPIN will lead to future generations of stroke researchers and that the current studies will inform strategies to reduce the incidence of embolic stroke in Canada.
We would also like to thank our patient partners who have contributed to the evolution of our network, and to the late David Fraser for his leadership of the patient engagement committee.
Finally, we would like to thank the Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH) and Dr. Jean Rouleau for championing the concept of the emerging networks, and to Dr. Brian Rowe for carrying on with this initiative, and to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and our industry partners for their ideas and support.