Cardiac Electrophysiologist
CHRS
Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto
Dr. Robert Hamilton is a children’s cardiologist, heart rhythm specialist and senior associate scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children and Research Institute, Toronto, Canada. He is a senior electrophysiologist, manages an inherited arrhythmia clinic, and has gained a unique perspective on the clinical impact of hereditary heart rhythm conditions on children and families. His research is focused on expanding the understanding of these inherited arrhythmia conditions and improving their diagnosis.
Dr. Hamilton has particular interest and expertise in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), Brugada Syndrome (BrS) and Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT). Each of these conditions is difficult to diagnose, particularly because underlying responsible genes often cannot be found in the affected families. The Hamilton lab is developing highly accurate blood tests for these conditions that do not depend on genetic findings. The lab’s focus therefore is to “solve sudden death, one disease at a time”.
In 2017. Dr. Hamilton identified a novel biomarker and target for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, presented this work as late-breaking science at the European Society of Cardiology, published in the European Heart Journal (highest impact cardiovascular journal) and is translating/commercializing this test to the clinical laboratory. This discovery may also lead to new treatments for ARVC.
In 2020, Dr. Hamilton has identified a biomarker for Brugada Syndrome, a heritable condition that causes sudden death at night in young individuals, particularly males. He is presented this work as late-breaking science at the American Heart Association, published in the European Heart Journal, and is translating this test to the clinical laboratory. More recently, he has found an autoantibody that accurately identifies autoimmune pregnancies at risk to have congenital heart block in the fetus.
Beyond research and clinical care, Dr.Hamilton spends his time at the cottage with family, and maintaining and sailing a cruising catamaran sailboat.
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Friday, October 27, 2023
10:05 – 10:25 EST
Friday, October 27, 2023
10:25 – 10:45 EST