DCI Digital Communications Inc.

What DCI Digital Communications Inc. does

The Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (DCI) is a nonprofit cardiovascular research and clinical care institute established in 2025 on the Vancouver General Hospital campus through a landmark $60 million philanthropic gift from the Dilawri Foundation to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. It operates as part of the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine, and is structured as 16 specialized centres spanning structural heart intervention, electrophysiology, cardiac critical care, minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery, women's heart health, Indigenous cardiovascular health, sports cardiology, pulmonary vascular disease, thoracic aortic disease, congenital/young adult cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular prevention, medical education, knowledge translation, and AI/data science/imaging.

DCI's core technology and clinical capabilities include transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR/TAVI) with early-recovery protocols taught internationally, minimally invasive and robotically-assisted cardiac surgery, electrophysiology and arrhythmia ablation, AI-powered echocardiography through the VGH-UBC AI Echo Core Lab, and cardiovascular device testing via the HDTi-6000 hydrodynamic tester (via BDC Laboratories partnership). The Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation (CCI) runs approximately 45 ongoing clinical trials including the international COMPLETE TAVR study (>600 patients, 75+ sites); the Centre for AI, Data Science, and Imaging integrates genomics, imaging, and environmental data for precision cardiovascular care. Dr. David A. Wood serves as inaugural Chief Scientific Officer (five-year term to 2030).

The business model is non-commercial: clinical services are funded through British Columbia's public healthcare system via Vancouver Coastal Health (no direct patient billing), research operations are supported by national and international grants (CIHR, Michael Smith Foundation, VCHRI, industry-sponsored trials), and capital and program expansion are funded through philanthropic donations via VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. Patient acquisition is referral-based through physicians, hospitals, and community outreach programs including Indigenous-led mobile care. DCI does not generate product or service revenue in the conventional commercial sense and is not a candidate for traditional PE/VC investment.

Name

DCI Digital Communications Inc.

Legal name

Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (DCI)

Website

https://dci.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2025

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (DCI) is a nonprofit cardiovascular research and clinical care institute in Vancouver, Canada, operating 16 specialized centres within Vancouver Coastal Health and UBC. It delivers advanced cardiac care, AI-powered imaging, clinical trials, and medical education, funded by public healthcare, research grants, and philanthropy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cardiovascular Care Services

NAICS

Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals (622310), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Home Health Care Services (62161)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Health Services (8000), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Interventional Cardiology (PCI/Structural Heart) (HLAKABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cardiometabolic RPM & Chronic Disease Management (diabetes, hypertension, CHF, obesity) (HLALAFAA), Hemodynamic Monitoring & Cardiac Diagnostics (Cath Lab, FFR/IVUS/OCT) (HLAHAFAI), Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy) (EDAAALAC), Clinical Research Support (CRC/CTA) (EDAOAJAO)

Keywords

• Cardiovascular clinical care
• Cardiac imaging services
• Structural heart intervention
• Cardiovascular clinical trials
• Minimally invasive cardiac surgery

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Clinical Care Services: Healthcare services funded through Canada's public healthcare system (provincial health insurance). Patient care is provided through Vancouver Coastal Health authority.
2. Research Grants and Clinical Trials: Funding from national and international clinical trials including grants from CIHR, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, and industry-sponsored studies. The COMPLETE TAVR trial is a major international multi-centre randomized clinical study.
3. Philanthropic Donations: The institute was established through a landmark $60 million gift from the Dilawri Foundation. Ongoing fundraising through VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (DCI) provides comprehensive cardiovascular care through 16 specialized clinical centers operating out of Vancouver General Hospital and affiliated sites, including structural heart intervention, cardiac surgery, heart rhythm disorders, vascular intervention, and cardio-oncology. It runs an active clinical research program that conducts investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored clinical trials and develops AI-enabled cardiovascular imaging and diagnostic technology (e.g., the AiECHO Core Lab and deep-learning echocardiography tools). Education and fellowship training for physicians and allied health professionals, as well as medtech industry collaboration on first-in-human studies and device evaluation, round out its offering.

Product overview

DCI (Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute) is a unified cardiovascular institute comprising 16 specialized centres that bridge research to all areas of cardiac practice. The institute operates as a platform combining clinical care centres, research operations (Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation, Centre for Cardiovascular Translational Science), AI and imaging capabilities (Centre for AI, Data Science, and Imaging), and education (Centre for CVS Medical Education). The institute integrates MedTech innovation with clinical trials to advance detection, treatment, and management of heart disease.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centre for AI, Data Science, and Imaging: Advanced cardiac imaging, artificial intelligence, and data sciences centre focused on improving heart disease diagnosis and treatment across British Columbia.
• Centre for Cardiac Critical Care
• Centre for Cardiovascular Disease in the Young
• Centre for Cardiovascular Health and Prevention
• Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation (CCI)
• Centre for Cardiovascular Translational Science
• Centre for CVS Medical Education
• Centre for Heart Rhythm
• Centre for Indigenous Cardiovascular Health
• Centre for Knowledge Translation and Implementation Science
• Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Centre for Pulmonary Vascular Disease
• Centre for Structural Heart Disease
• Centre for Thoracic Aortic Disease
• Centre for Women's Heart Health Research
• SportsCardiologyBC

Products and services

• Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation (CCI) / Centre for Heart Valve Innovation (CHVI) Translational and clinical research program focused on structural heart disease and transcatheter valve technologies; serves patients with valvular heart disease and partners with medical device manufacturers on first-in-human studies.
• Centre for Cardio-Oncology Specialty clinic providing cardiovascular risk assessment and management for oncology patients undergoing cancer treatment who are at risk of cardiotoxicity.
• Centre for Vascular Intervention and Vascular Surgery Diagnosis and treatment of peripheral arterial and venous disease using endovascular and open surgical techniques; serves patients with complex vascular conditions.
• Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders (Electrophysiology) Comprehensive electrophysiology service providing catheter ablation, pacemaker and ICD implantation, and management of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.
• Vancouver Centre for 3D Echocardiography and Cardiac CT/MRI Imaging Advanced non-invasive cardiac imaging including 3D echocardiography, cardiac CT, cardiac MRI, and procedural planning for structural heart interventions.
• AI Echo Core Lab (AiECHO) Centralized core laboratory offering AI-assisted echocardiographic image analysis and deep-learning model development for multicenter clinical trials and research sponsors.
• Centre for Interventional Cardiology and Structural Heart Intervention (TAVR/TEER) Catheter-based treatment of coronary artery disease and structural heart defects including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER/MitraClip).
• Centre for Cardiac Surgery Surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease including coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair/replacement, aortic surgery, and minimally invasive cardiac surgery.
• Centre for Preventive Cardiology and Lipid Disorders Risk assessment, lipid management, and preventive care for patients at high risk of cardiovascular events including those with familial hypercholesterolemia.
• Centre for Heart Failure, Cardiac Transplantation, and Mechanical Circulatory Support Advanced heart failure management including medical therapy, mechanical circulatory support (LVAD), and cardiac transplantation for end-stage heart disease.
• Clinical Trials and Investigator-Initiated Research Program Coordination and execution of investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored multicenter clinical trials in interventional cardiology, structural heart disease, and cardiovascular imaging.
• Cardiovascular Fellowship and Medical Education Program Postgraduate training for cardiology fellows, interventional cardiology fellows, and cardiac surgery residents, plus continuing medical education for practicing physicians and allied health professionals.
• Centre for Women's Cardiovascular Health Specialized cardiovascular care addressing sex-specific risk factors, pregnancy-related heart disease, and cardiovascular conditions unique to or more prevalent in women.

Quantifiable outcome

• Taught centres throughout North America and globally how to replace heart valves in under 30 minutes so patients can go home the same day
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BDC LaboratoriescoreTechnology or Integration · 8 August 2025Strategic partnership between DCI's Centre for Cardiovascular Translational Science and BDC Laboratories, a recognized leader in cardiovascular testing solutions. The partnership focuses on development and clinical validation of cardiovascular medical devices using state-of-the-art equipment including the HDTi-6000 hydrodynamic tester for evaluating artificial heart valves under simulated real-world clinical conditions.
• Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCI is part of Vancouver Coastal Health, one of British Columbia's health authorities responsible for hospital and community care services. VCH provides the institutional framework and operational infrastructure for DCI's clinical and research activities.
• Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCI operates as part of VCHRI, which enables innovation, recruits top talent, and facilitates research activities. VCHRI connects visionary donors with world-class healthcare teams.
• University of British Columbia (UBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCI collaborates closely with UBC's Faculty of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Department of Medicine. UBC provides academic affiliation for clinicians and researchers and enables educational programs and clinical training.
• Indigenous Communities (BC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCI's Centre for Indigenous Cardiovascular Health works in partnership with Indigenous Nations throughout British Columbia to co-develop culturally grounded, trauma-informed cardiovascular care models guided by OCAP principles.
• Toyama University HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese hospital participating in international collaboration with DCI. Clinicians visited to observe early recovery after TAVI care pathways and discuss implementation in their hospitals.
• Hiroshima City HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese hospital participating in international collaboration with DCI. Clinicians visited to observe early recovery after TAVI care pathways and discuss implementation in their hospitals.
• Kobe City Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese hospital participating in international collaboration with DCI. Clinicians visited to observe early recovery after TAVI care pathways and discuss implementation in their hospitals.
• Fukuyama Cardiovascular HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese hospital participating in international collaboration with DCI. Clinicians visited to observe early recovery after TAVI care pathways and discuss implementation in their hospitals.
• Patient PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCI works with patient partners across all health authorities to ensure research and clinical programs stay grounded in lived experience. Patient partners actively contribute to program development and governance.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Texas Heart Institute: Long-standing standalone cardiovascular research and care institute. Comparable as a specialty cardiovascular institute combining research, education, and clinical innovation, though primarily U.S.-based and older.
• NewYork-Presbyterian — Columbia Cardiology: Major U.S. academic cardiovascular program with deep structural heart and interventional cardiology expertise (affiliated with Columbia). Comparable as a high-volume academic cardiac center competing for global recognition and trial leadership.
• Cleveland Clinic — Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute: Global leader in interventional/structural cardiology and the training site for DCI's Dr. Saw and Dr. Joel Price. Comparable as a large, well-capitalized cardiovascular institute with overlapping structural-heart, imaging, and AI programs.
• Massachusetts General Hospital — Corrigan Minehan Heart Center: Harvard-affiliated cardiovascular center, comparable as an academic specialty heart center with research, structural heart, and AI initiatives. Training site for DCI's Dr. Moulson (cardiovascular performance fellowship).
• Brigham and Women's Hospital — Heart & Vascular Center: Harvard-affiliated cardiovascular center with strong interventional and structural heart programs. Comparable as a large academic cardiac-care and research institution competing for talent and trial sponsorship.
• Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular: Major U.S. cardiovascular center that trained DCI's Dr. Tsang and Dr. Luong in advanced echocardiography. Comparable in scale, AI-imaging focus, and structural-heart leadership but operates on a much larger multi-site U.S. footprint.
• Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute: U.S. cardiovascular institute with strong women's heart health and imaging programs (Dr. Bairey Merz's program, where Dr. Sedlak trained). Comparable as a specialty heart institute with research, education, and innovation mandates.

Direct peers

• Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (Toronto General Hospital): Canada's flagship cardiovascular academic centre, also embedded in a public academic hospital (UHN). Highly comparable as a Canadian specialty cardiac institute with research, structural heart, AI, and women's heart health programs targeting the same national catchment.
• Montreal Heart Institute: Québécois specialty cardiac hospital with a strong research arm (Montreal Heart Institute Research Centre). Directly comparable as a Canadian cardiovascular research and clinical institute, and notably the fellowship home of DCI's Dr. Andrade.

Regional players

• Duke Clinical Research Institute (Cardiology): U.S.-based academic cardiovascular research powerhouse where DCI's Dr. Fordyce trained. Comparable as a cardiovascular clinical-trials operational center, though U.S.-focused rather than Canadian.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DilawriCVI
• Facebookfacebook.com/people/Dilawri-Cardiovascular-Institute/61577846035746
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dci-digital-communications-inc.

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DCI Digital Communications Inc.