Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute
Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute (MAHI) is a cardiovascular specialist facility located at University of Alberta Hospital campus in Edmonton, Alberta. It operates under Alberta Health Services, delivering heart-focused care including complex cardiac surgery, adult and pediatric heart transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, and advanced diagnostics. It has no emergency department on its own; emergencies are handled elsewhere in the hospital complex.
Services & Specialty Care
MAHI offers a wide array of heart-related services and clinics: cardiac catheterization labs (adult & pediatric), clinics for atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, inherited arrhythmias, aortic disease, pulmonary hypertension, heart rhythm device management, and imaging modalities such as echocardiography, MRI, stress testing, ECG/Holter monitoring. There are inpatient units for cardiovascular surgery, cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU), and dedicated programs for transplantation (heart, lung), ventricular assist devices (VAD) for both adults and children. Cardiac rehabilitation and outpatient education services are also provided.
Research, Innovation & Capacity
MAHI functions not just as a clinical service but also as a research and teaching centre. There are facilities and programs for translational research, education of surgeons, cardiologists, fellows, and trainees. Clinical innovation includes hybrid operating rooms, advanced perfusion services, mechanical circulatory support, and involvement in both adult and pediatric cases with high procedural volumes. The building was designed with capacity and patient workflow in mind: multiple operating rooms, catheter labs, electrophysiology labs, and specialist inpatient beds.
Strengths & Challenges
Strengths: MAHI is among the top cardiac centres in Western Canada, with subspecialty breadth and depth; high volumes afford experience; combining adult and pediatric cardiac care is rare; strong research/teaching base enhances quality and innovation; many diagnostic and therapeutic services co-located. Challenges: Because it's a specialist institute, many general hospital functions (e.g. general emergency, broad non-cardiac surgery) are outside its scope; wait times for specialized clinics or transplant candidacy may be long; patients must often travel if outside Edmonton or northern Alberta; integration with non-cardiac care pathways can be complex.
Practical Information & Tips for Patients & Families
Address: 11220 83 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7. Switchboard: 780-407-8822. No standalone emergency department—emergencies handled via UAH / associated hospital facilities. Referrals often required for many specialists. Bring your health insurance card / ID, prior medical reports / imaging. Plan for parking & transit; use provided maps / visitor guide. If needing transplant, VAD, or other complex care, expect coordination with multiple clinics. For non-urgent cardiac issues, know clinic schedules ahead; education and rehab programs are available.
