At Orléans Family Health Clinic, we’re always fascinated by the intersection of science, innovation, and everyday life—especially when it comes to improving heart health. A recent breakthrough from right here in Ottawa is capturing international attention, and it all started with something as simple as a churro.

Yes, the fried-dough snack might inspire your taste buds, but for a group of local heart researchers, it also sparked a game-changing idea in coronary artery bypass surgery—one of the most common heart procedures in Canada.

The Sweet Spark of Innovation

Dr. Marcelo Muñoz, a pharmacist and chemist working at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, was standing in line at a local food truck festival when he noticed how churro dough was being extruded through a nozzle and wrapped around a rod to form a hollow tube. That shape—cylindrical, flexible, and hollow—suddenly reminded him of something very different: a blood vessel.

His idea? What if we could build blood vessels in a similar way—extruding a flexible, biocompatible material in real time, with the right shape and structure, to replace damaged or blocked arteries?

Why This Matters for Heart Surgery

Every year in Canada, around 25,000 coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries are performed. The procedure typically involves removing a healthy blood vessel from the patient’s own body and using it to reroute blood around a blocked artery—essentially creating a “detour” for blood flow.

But here’s the challenge: 10% to 20% of patients don’t have a suitable blood vessel for grafting. This is especially true for older adults and people with diabetes. These patients often face higher risks, longer recovery times, or even ineligibility for the surgery altogether.

That’s where the “Churro Project” comes in.

3D-Printed Blood Vessels? We’re Almost There

Dr. Muñoz and his team developed a miniature nozzle that extrudes a special liquid polymer to create a synthetic blood vessel in real time. This material mimics the layered structure of human blood vessels. Once formed, it’s hardened with blue light—like the light dentists use for fillings.

The best part? The body recognizes the graft and slowly populates it with living cells, transforming it into a fully functioning vessel over time.

In the future, this kind of technology could allow heart surgeons to create and implant blood vessel grafts without needing invasive incisions or sternotomies (cutting open the chest). Instead, procedures could be done through small catheters—dramatically reducing recovery time and risks.

What It Means for Our Community

The idea of making heart bypass surgery safer, faster, and more accessible is especially meaningful in primary care settings like ours, where we care for many seniors and patients managing chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension.

If you or a loved one has been told you’re not a candidate for traditional heart surgery, this kind of innovation could change your future treatment options.

And it’s happening right here in Ottawa.

A Sweet Reminder: Innovation Can Start Anywhere

Sometimes the best medical breakthroughs come from everyday moments—a walk in the park, a casual family outing… or a churro truck at a festival.
This is what inspires our work at Orléans Family Health Clinic: staying informed, staying hopeful, and staying focused on what’s coming next in medical care so we can better serve you and your family.

Have questions about your heart health or cardiac risk factors?

Book a check-up with your primary care provider today. Let’s work together to protect your most vital organ.

Disclaimer: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider first. Full Disclaimer.