Dr. Fraser Rubens

Dr. Fraser Rubens is an associate professor of surgery (cardiac surgery) at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. A native of Kingston, Dr. Rubens obtained his M.D. at Queens University in 1985. He subsequently went on to complete his general surgery training at the University of Ottawa prior to proceeding to post graduate research (Masters of Science) in the Department of Pathology at McMaster University with Drs. Raelene Kinlough-Rathbone, Jeff Weitz, John Brash and Jack Hirsh, focusing on the process of thrombosis and cardiovascular devices. During this time he was supported by a Research Fellowship award by the Medical Research Council of Canada. On returning to Ottawa in 1992, he completed further surgical training in cardiothoracic surgery obtaining his certification in 1994. After a second clinical Fellowship he began his clinical practice of cardiac surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute in January of 1995, supported with a Career Scientist Award from the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Dr. Rubens' research remains focused on the biologic events related to blood biomaterial interactions. Although cardiopulmonary bypass has been a technology which has benefited the field of cardiac surgery for over five decades, it still provides a wealth of opportunity for research ideas into new technologies and modified biomaterial surfaces. Dr. Rubens' research group, in collaboration with Dr. Howard Nathan of the Department of Anaesthesia, has been investigating the effect of alternative biomaterials in parallel with modifications in current cardiac surgical techniques, in minimizing the systemic activation related to the blood biomaterial contact. Novel biomaterials which have been tested have included copolymers in which marked decreases in thrombin generation have been demonstrated as compared to traditional synthetic surfaces. Dr. Rubens has recently completed a trial looking at combined pharmacologic and biomaterial modification strategies to minimize inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass, which was funded by a grant from the University-Industry Program of the Canadian Institute of Health Research. As a consequence of findings such as this, researchers are now envisioning the possibility of modifying current heparin strategies and thus potentially limiting the serious complication of postoperative bleeding. Other areas being actively investigated by this research team include the impact of the use of salvaged blood during cardiopulmonary bypass. Notably it has been recognized that this blood may contribute to postoperative neuropsychological difficulties, bleeding and pulmonary complications. The current clinical trial funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research, is addressing this intriguing question in a prospective randomized trial. Aside from these trials, Dr. Rubens is a co-investigator in CIHR and Heart and Stroke funded operating grants related to temperature management on cardiopulmonary bypass, the neuropsychological effects of off-pump surgery and endothelial modulation to augment angiogenesis during minimally invasive surgery.

Dr. Rubens has been playing a role in the mentorship of promising young cardiac surgical scientists. Dr. Rubens is also the leader of the surgical team developed at the Ottawa Heart Institute which has been treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Since 1995 over 60 patients from Canada and other nations have been operated at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute for this disorder with excellent results, providing a foundation for the development of a scientific program to complement the surgical success.

Dr. Rubens has been an invited speaker at both national and international meetings, and he’s given over 40 invited lectures around the world. Topics have ranged from areas related to cell salvage and blood conservation, to current innovations in cardiopulmonary bypass, as well as chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Dr. Rubens is an internal scientific reviewer for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and he has an extensive publication record including three surgical textbook chapters, 36 abstracts, and 52 peer-reviewed publications.

For further information, please contact Dr. Fraser Rubens using the Email contact form or by phone at 613 761-4720