June 2, 2026
Obstetric medicine specialist joins Libin Institute
Dr. Paul Gibson, a professor of Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology at the 荔枝视频, recently joined the Libin Cardiovascular Institute.
A physician specializing in medical disorders in pregnancy, Gibson has been providing inpatient consultation for medically-complicated pregnancies at Foothills Medical Centre since 2001.
His research focus revolves around his clinical interests. He investigates complicated pregnancies with an emphasis on cardiac disease, hypertension and thrombosis.
Another research focus is on medical education. As the former Internal Medicine Program Director and current Vice Chair of Education for U荔枝视频鈥檚 Department of Medicine, it鈥檚 another area of personal investment for Gibson.
Gibson was first-author of a population-based study investigating pregnancy-associated heart attacks in Alberta. in 2025, the study investigated 43 cases between 2003 and 2017, finding 5.6 occurrences per 100,000 pregnancies with a maternal mortality rate of 9 per cent.
The study found that the majority of pregnancy-associated myocardial infarctions occurred in the six months postpartum, with spontaneous coronary artery dissection being the most common cause. For events occurring during pregnancy, underlying coronary artery obstruction was frequently the culprit.
Other areas of heart-related research of interest to Gibson include syncope in pregnancy, maternal mortality, thrombosis in pregnancy and management of hypertension in pregnancy.
鈥淧regnancy is a stress test for the whole body,鈥 says Gibson, noting the incidence of heart attacks related to pregnancy is growing, likely due to the increasing maternal age and associated comorbidities.
According to Gibson, the most common concern in his practice is pregnancy-related thrombosis, but he also sees patients with heart-related issues, including coronary artery disease, heart palpitations or shortness of breath, cardiomyopathy and valvular disease.
Gibson earned his medical degree and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Manitoba. He continued his studies with a fellowship in Obstetric and Consultative Medicine at Brown University School of Medicine and Women & Infants鈥 Hospital of Rhode Island, USA.
He is secretary of the International Society of Obstetrical Medicine and recently presented work at the Cardiac Problems in Pregnancy conference in Barcelona, Spain.
His research has led him to numerous collaborations with members of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, including Drs. Kara Nerenberg, Amy Metcalfe, Robert Sheldon, Satish Raj, Michelle Keir, Leslie Skeith and Angela Kealey. He is open to other collaborations.