Canadian Cardiovascular Society

Guidelines and Clinical Practice Update Library

These statements were developed following a thorough consideration of medical literature and the best available evidence and clinical experience. They represent the consensus of a multidisciplinary panel comprised of experts on the topic with a mandate to formulate disease-specific recommendations. Recommendations are aimed to provide a reasonable and practical approach to care for specialists and allied health professionals obliged with the duty of bestowing optimal care to patients and families, and can be subject to change as scientific knowledge and technology advance and as practice patterns evolve. These statements are not intended to be a substitute for physicians using their individual judgement in managing clinical care in consultation with the patient, with appropriate regard to all the individual circumstances of the patient, diagnostic and treatment options available and available resources. Adherence to these recommendations will not necessarily produce successful outcomes in every case.

TopicYearTitleTypeCOI
CCS Guidelines on the Fitness to DriveArticle in PressCanadian Cardiovascular Society 2023 Guidelines on the Fitness to DriveGuideline
Antiplatelet TherapyArticle in PressCanadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology 2023 Focused Update of the Guidelines for the Use of Antiplatelet TherapyGuidelineView

Team Model and Care Pathways for Aortic Disease
2023The Aortic Team Model and Collaborative Decision Pathways for the Management of Complex Aortic Disease: Clinical Practice Update From the Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Society of Cardiac Surgeons/Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery/Canadian Association for Interventional RadiologyClinical Practice UpdateView
Prolonged QT Interval20232023 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Clinical Practice Update on Management of the Patient With a Prolonged QT IntervalClinical Practice UpdateView
HF Phenotypes2023Canadian Cardiovascular Society-Canadian Heart Failure Society Focused Clinical
Practice Update of Patients With Differing Heart Failure Phenotypes
Clinical Practice UpdateView
Neuroprognostication2023Neuroprognostication in the Post Cardiac Arrest Patient: A Canadian Cardiovascular Society Position StatementPosition StatementView
Pediatric Dyslipidemia2022The Detection, Evaluation, and Management of Dyslipidemia in Children and Adolescents: A Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Pediatric Cardiology Association Clinical Practice UpdateClinical Practice UpdateView
Cardiorenal20222022 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guideline for Use of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and SGLT2 Inhibitors for Cardiorenal Risk Reduction in AdultsGuidelineView
Peripheral Arterial Disease2022Canadian Cardiovascular Society 2022 Guidelines for Peripheral Arterial DiseaseGuidelineView
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease2022Canadian Cardiovascular Society 2022 Guidelines for Cardiovascular Interventions in Adults with Congenital Heart DiseaseGuidelineView
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease2021CCS: Clinical Practice Update on Cardiovascular Management of the Pregnant PatientClinical Practice UpdateView
Imaging/Device Therapy20212021 Update on the Safety of Magnetic Resonance Imaging: a Joint Position Statement from the CCS/CanSCMR/CHRSPosition StatementView
Heart Failure2021CCS/CHFS Heart Failure Guidelines Update: Defining a New Pharmacologic Standard of Care for HFrEFGuidelineView
Dyslipidemia20212021 CCS Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in the AdultGuidelineView
Atrial Fibrillation20202020 CCS/CHRS Comprehensive Guidelines for the Management of Atrial FibrillationGuidelineView
Arrhythmia20202020 CCS/CHRS Position Statement on the Management of Ventricular Tachycardia and Fibrillation in Patients with Structural Heart DiseasePosition StatementView
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease2020CCS Position Statement on Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Related Disorders of Chronic Orthostatic IntolerancePosition StatementView
Heart Failure2020CCS/CHFS Joint Position Statement on the Evaluation and Management of Patients with Cardiac AmyloidosisPosition StatementView
Heart Failure2020CCS Heart Failure Guidelines Update: Focus on FMR, SGLT2 Inhibitors, ARNI in HFpEF, and AmyloidosisGuidelineView
Prevention / Risk2020CCS/CTS Position Statement on Pulmonary HypertensionPosition StatementView
Syncope2020CCS Clinical Practice Update on the Assessment and Management of SyncopeClinical Practice UpdateView
Transplantation2020CCS/CCTN Position Statement on Heart Transplantation: Patient Eligibility, Selection, and Post-Transplantation CarePosition StatementView
CAD/ACS20192019 Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology Guidelines on the Acute Management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Focused Update on Regionalization and ReperfusionGuidelineView
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease20192019 CCS Position Statement for Transcatheter Aortic Valve ImplantationPosition StatementView
Antiplatelet Therapy20182018 CCS/CAIC Focused Update of the Guidelines for the use of Antiplatelet TherapyGuidelineView
Atrial Fibrillation20182018 Focused Update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation
Supplementary MaterialManagement of Atrial Fibrillation: Complete CCS Guidelines Listing
GuidelineView
Dyslipidemia2018Canadian Cardiovascular Society Position Statement on Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Update 2018Position StatementView
Prevention / Risk2018Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Heart Rhythm Society Joint Position Statement on the Cardiovascular Screening of Competitive AthletesPosition StatementView
Heart Failure20172017 Comprehensive Update of the CCS Guidelines for the Management of Heart FailureGuideline 
Atrial Fibrillation2016Supplementary Material: Complete Guidelines Listing – 2010 to 2016Guideline 
Atrial Fibrillation2016The 2014 Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines Companion: A Practical Approach to the Use of the CCS GuidelinesCommentary 
Atrial Fibrillation20162016 Focused Update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation
Corrigendum: Published online November 29, 2016
Guideline 
Cardiac Arrest2016Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Cardiovascular Critical Care Society/Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology Position Statement on the Optimal Care of the Post Arrest PatientPosition Statment 
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease2016Guidelines for Evaluation and Management of Cardiovascular Complications of Cancer TherapyGuideline 
Device Therapy2016CCS/CHRS 2016 Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) GuidelinesGuideline 
Dyslipidemia20162016 Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in the Adult
Application of GRADE and Evidence Review
Guideline 
Heart Disease2016CCS/CPCA Position Statement on Pulse Oximetry Screening in Newborns to Enhance Detection of Critical Congenital Heart DiseasePosition Statement 
Perioperative2016CCS guidelines on perioperative cardiac risk assessment and management for patients undergoing noncardiac surgeryGuideline 
Syncope2016CCS and CPCA Position Statement on the Approach to Syncope in the Pediatric PatientPosition Statement 
Thoracic Aortic Disease2016CCS/CSCS/CSVS Position Statement on Open and Endovascular Surgery for Thoracic Aortic DiseasePosition Statement 
Atrial Fibrillation2015The 2014 Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines Companion: A Practical Approach to the Use of the CCS GuidelinesCommentary 
Heart Failure2015The CCS Heart Failure Companion: Bridging Guidelines to your Practice
Supplementary Material: Survey for Practical HF Guidelines Implementations by Canadian Experts
Commentary 
Atrial Fibrillation2014Supplementary Material: Complete Guidelines Listing – 2010 to 2014Guideline 
Atrial Fibrillation2014Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines 2014 Focused Update: Management of Atrial Fibrillation
ErrataPublished online June 15 2015Published in issue: December 2014
Guideline 
CAD/ACS2014Revascularization—Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease – A CCS/CAIC/CSCS Joint Position StatementPosition Statement 
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease2014Stable Ischemic Heart Disease Guidelines for Diagnosis and ManagementGuideline 
Dyslipidemia2014Familial Hypercholesterolemia: CCS Position StatementPosition Statement 
Dyslipidemia2014Are the ACC/AHA Guidelines on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol a Game Changer? A Perspective From the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Dyslipidemia PanelCommentary 
Heart Failure2014Heart Failure Guidelines 2014 Update: Focus on Anemia, Biomarkers, and Recent Therapeutic Trial Implications
ErratumPublished online August 27 2015
Guideline 
Thoracic Aortic Disease2014Management of Thoracic Aortic DiseasePosition Statement 
Device Therapy2013Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Guidelines: ImplementationGuideline 
Device Therapy2013Use of Remote Monitoring for Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Follow-up – A Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Heart Rhythm Society Joint Position StatementPosition Statement 
Heart Failure2013Heart Failure Guidelines 2013 Update: Focus on Rehabilitation and Exercise and Surgical Coronary RevascularizationGuideline 
Imaging / Echo2013Radiation Exposure From Cardiac Imaging and Interventional ProceduresPosition Statement 
Angina2012Management of Patients With Refractory Angina – A Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Pain Society Joint GuidelinesGuideline 
Antiplatelet Therapy2012Antiplatelet Therapy Guidelines 2012 Update: The Use of Antiplatelet TherapyGuideline 
Assessment to Drive/Fly2012Fitness to Drive and Fly Guidelines 2012 Update: Fitness Following Left Ventricular Assist Device ImplantationPosition Statement 
Atrial Fibrillation2012Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines 2012 Update: Recommendations for Stroke Prevention and Rate/Rhythm ControlGuideline 
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease2012Transcatheter Aortic Valve ImplantationPosition Statement 
Device Therapy2012Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Guidelines: Evidence and Patient SelectionGuideline 
Device Therapy2012Perioperative Management of Patients With Implanted Pacemakers, Defibrillators, and Neurostimulating Devices – Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society/Canadian Heart Rhythm Society Joint Position StatementPosition Statement 
Dyslipidemia2012Dyslipidemia Guidelines 2012 Update: Diagnosis and Treatment of Dyslipidemia for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in the AdultGuideline 
Heart Failure2012Heart Failure Guidelines 2012 Update: Focus on Acute and Chronic Heart FailureGuideline 
Paediatric Cardiology2012Presentation, Diagnosis, and Medical Management of Heart Failure in ChildrenGuideline 
Arrhythmia2011Genetic Testing in the Clinical Evaluation of Inherited Cardiac Arrhythmias Associated with Sudden Cardiac Death – A Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Heart Rhythm Society Joint Position PaperPosition Statement 
Heart Failure2011Heart Failure Guidelines 2011 Update: Focus on Sleep Apnea, Renal Dysfunction, Mechanical Circulatory Support, and Palliative CareGuideline 
Prevention / Risk2011Smoking Cessation and the Cardiovascular SpecialistPosition Statement 
Rehabilitation2011Systematizing Inpatient Referral to Cardiac Rehabilitation 2010 – A Canadian Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Canadian Cardiovascular Society Joint Position PaperPosition Statement 
Syncope2011Standardized Approaches to the Investigation of SyncopePosition Statement 
Adult
Echocardiography
2010Echocardiography Guidelines for Training and Maintenance of Competency in Adult EchocardiographyTraining and MOC 
Adult
Echocardiography
2010Echocardiography Guidelines for Training and Maintenance of Competency in Adult EchocardiographyGuideline 
Antiplatelet Therapy2010Antiplatelet Therapy Guidelines 2010: The Use of Antiplatelet Therapy in the Outpatient SettingGuideline 
Atrial Fibrillation2010Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines 2010 Update #5: Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation/Atrial FlutterGuideline 
Atrial Fibrillation2010Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines 2010 Update #2: Etiology and Initial InvestigationsGuideline 
Atrial Fibrillation2010Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines 2010 Update #1: Implementing GRADE and Achieving ConsensusGuideline 
Atrial Fibrillation2010Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines 2010 Update #3: Management of Recent-Onset Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter in the Emergency DepartmentGuideline 
Atrial Fibrillation2010Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines 2010 Update #8: Prevention and Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation Following Cardiac SurgeryGuideline 
Atrial Fibrillation2010Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines 2010 Update #7: Prevention of Stroke and Systemic Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation and FlutterGuideline 
Atrial Fibrillation2010Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines 2010 Update #4: Rate and Rhythm ManagementGuideline 
Atrial Fibrillation2010Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines 2010 Update #6: Surgical TherapyGuideline 
Cardiac Computed Tomography2010Consensus Training Standards for Cardiac Computed TomographyTraining and MOC 
Cardiac Electrophysiology2010Training Standards and Maintenance of Competency in Adult Clinical Cardiac ElectrophysiologyTraining and MOC 
Cardiac Electrophysiology2010Training Standards and Maintenance of Competency in Adult Clinical Cardiac ElectrophysiologyGuideline 
Heart Failure2010Heart Failure Guidelines 2010 Update: Heart failure in ethnic minority populations, heart failure and pregnancy, disease management, and quality improvement/assurance programsGuideline 
Interventional Cardiology2010Guidelines for Training and Maintenance of Competency in Adult Interventional CardiologyTraining and MOC 
Angina2009Refractory angina pectorisPosition Statement 
Antiplatelet Therapy2009Dual antiplatelet therapy in patients requiring urgent coronary artery bypass grafting surgeryPosition Statement 
CAD/ACS2009Management of ST elevation myocardial infarction: American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association 2004 GuidelinesCanadian Perspective 
Dyslipidemia2009Dyslipidemia Guidelines 2009 Update: Diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease in the adultGuideline 
Heart Disease2009Adult Congenital Heart Disease Guidelines Update 2009: Management of Adults with Congenital Heart DiseaseConsensus Conference 
Heart Failure2009Heart Failure Guidelines 2009 Update: Diagnosis and management of right-sided heart failure, myocarditis, device therapy and recent important clinical trialsConsensus Conference 
Imaging / Echo2009Cardiac computed tomography in 2009, ‘What, when, where, who and how?’, Guidelines for the clinicianCommentary 
Paediatric Cardiology2009Cardiac risk assessment before the use of stimulant medications in children and youth – A joint position statement by the Canadian Paediatric Society, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryPosition Statement 
Transplantation2009Cardiac TransplantationConsensus Conference 
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease2008Endocarditis prophylaxis guidelines: A compromise between science and common sense:American Heart Association 2007 GuidelinesCommentary 
Heart Failure2008Heart Failure Guidelines 2008 Update: Best practices for transition of care of heart failure patients, and the recognition, investigation and treatment of cardiomyopathiesConsensus Conference 
Imaging / Echo2008Contrast Echocardiography: Putting things into perspective – A Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Society of Echocardiography joint commentaryCanadian Perspective 
CAD/ACS2007Drug-eluting stents – A Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology and Canadian Cardiovascular Society joint statementPosition Statement 
Heart Failure2007Heart Failure Guidelines 2007 Update: Prevention, management during intercurrent illness or acute decompensation, and use of biomarkersConsensus Conference 
Imaging / Echo2007Contrast Echocardiography in Canada – A Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Society of Echocardiography Position PaperCommentary 
Dyslipidemia2006Diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular diseasePosition Statement 
Heart Failure2006Heart Failure Guidelines 2006: Diagnosis and managementConsensus Conference 
Imaging / Echo2006Advanced Non-invasive Cardiac Imaging using Positron Emission Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Multi-Detector Computed Tomographic Angiography in the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Ischemic Heart Disease – A joint position statement by CCS / CAR / CANM / CNCS / Can SCMRPosition Statement 
Device Therapy2005Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Use in Canada – A Canadian Cardiovascular Society and Canadian Heart Rhythm Society position paperPosition Statement 
Peripheral Arterial Disease2005Peripheral Arterial DiseaseConsensus Conference 
Prevention / Risk2005Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension – A Canadian Cardiovascular Society and Canadian Thoracic Society position statementPosition Statement 
Atrial Fibrillation2004Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines 2004Consensus Conference 
CAD/ACS2004STEMI: ACC/AHA GuidelinesCanadian Perspective 
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease2004Surgical Management of Valvular Heart DiseaseConsensus Conference 
Imaging / Echo2004Provision of Echocardiography in CanadaStandards of Practice 
Transplantation2004Paediatric and Adult Congential Heart TransplantationConsensus Conference 
Assessment to Drive/Fly2003Fitness to Drive and Fly Guidelines 2003: Assessment of the cardiac patient for fitness to drive and fly 
(Executive Summary)
Consensus Conference 
Heart Failure2003Heart Failure Guidelines 2002/2003: Diagnosis and Management of Heart FailureConsensus Conference 
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease2002Management of Heart Disease in the Elderly PatientConsensus Conference 
Prevention / Risk2002Hormone Replacement Therapy and Cardiovascular Disease –  Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, Canadian Cardiovascular SocietyPosition Statement 
Heart Disease2001Adult Congenital Heart Disease Guidelines 2001: Management of Adults with Congenital Heart DiseaseConsensus Conference 
Transplantation2001Cardiac TransplantationConsensus Conference 
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease2000Women and ischemic heart diseaseConsensus Conference 
Prevention / Risk2000Homocyst(e)ine and Cardiovascular Disease –  Heart and Stroke Foundation of CanadaCommentary 
Arrhythmia1999Prevention of sudden death from ventricular arrhythmia  
(Executive Summary)
Consenus Conference 
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease1999Sildenafil in the Management of Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Cardiovascular DiseasePosition Statement 
Prevention / Risk1998Prevention of cardiovascular diseases: the role of the cardiovascular specialistConsensus Conference 
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease1997Evaluation and Management of Chronic Ischemic Heart DiseaseConsensus Conference 
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease1995Indications For and Access To RevascularizationConsensus Conference 
Cardiovascular/Heart Disease1992Coronary ThrombolysisConsensus Conference 
Angina1976Angina pectoris, a CCS Grading ScaleConsensus Conference 
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