Virginie F. Tanguay

2016 Paroian Family PH Research Scholarship

Pulmonary Hypertension Research Group, Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Québec City, QC 

Under the supervision of: Dr. Steeve Provencher

About Virginie Tanguay

Virginie F. Tanguay began her doctorate in medicine in 2012 at Université Laval, Québec, QC. Her internship with the IUCPQ research group in pulmonary hypertension and vascular biology solidified her interest in pursuing research in this area and led her to begin a master’s degree in experimental medicine in 2015. Virginie believes that her master’s degree will enable her to better invest in her patients in the future: “I am convinced that this course of study, in parallel to the pursuit of my doctorate in medicine, will equip me with tools to better face future clinical and research challenges and will make me a more well-rounded clinician.”  Virginie will continue to pursue her objective of bettering the quality of life of patients when she undertakes PH research as part of her postdoctoral studies next year.

Project:

Metabolic Syndrome and PH 

Increasing scientific evidence supports the idea that metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, may play a role in the development of pulmonary hypertension. The goal of this project is to evaluate the impact of metabolic syndrome in pulmonary hypertension patients (WHO Group 1—pulmonary arterial hypertension and WHO Group 2—PH associated with left-sided heart disease). More specifically, the project will study the accumulation of fats in different organs and the relationship to cardiac and pulmonary functions, muscular strength, and medium-term prognosis. This innovative research will shed light on the clinical pertinence of metabolic disorders, thus increasing our understanding of pulmonary hypertension and its treatment.