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Comprehensive Genetic Arrhythmia Program

The UCSF Comprehensive Genetic Arrhythmia Program (CGAP) studies and treats inherited heart rhythm disorders, also known as arrhythmias. While not all arrhythmias are genetic, arrhythmias as a class represent a serious health risk. The most serious risk is sudden cardiac death (SCD). Nearly 500,000 deaths a year are attributed to SCD.

Our program plays a leading role in advancing the understanding of existing genetic causes of cardiac arrhythmias, identifying new genes implicated in the disorders and applying this knowledge to improving patient care.

At CGAP, experts in electrophysiology, cardiology, genetics and genetic counseling work side by side to create a multidisciplinary focus not found anywhere else in the western United States. This focus benefits both patients and their doctors for several key reasons:

  • Genetic causes of SCD can be rare and difficult to diagnose. Our team includes some of the world's leading experts in inherited arrhythmias. They work together to make sure that each patient receives a precise diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.
  • Inherited arrhythmias can affect both the patient and family members, creating unique challenges in management. This is an area in which doctors can benefit from the experience of our experts. Our multidisciplinary evaluations are designed to ensure that all patients and their families receive the most comprehensive workups possible.

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  • Access to genetic testing and genetic counseling is a critical component in making a diagnosis, planning treatment, and helping patients and their families adjust to life with an inherited arrhythmia. Genetic testing and counseling are integral to our patient treatment and important for researchers, who view inherited arrhythmias within the context of family relationships.
  • Our growing understanding of the role that genetic mutations play in inherited arrhythmias reinforces the importance of patient and family management. It also underscores the benefit of access to information from prior genetic studies. UCSF has a vast store of research data. We intend to continue the program and extend this commitment as more information becomes available.

Our Research

CGAP studies patients with:

If you're interested in learning more about our research studies, please contact us at [email protected] or (415) 514-7310.

 

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    Awards & recognition

    • U S  News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF as part of its 2024-2025 Honor Roll

      Among the top hospitals in the nation

    • One of the nation's best for heart & vascular surgery

    Decorative Caduceus

    Volunteers to Investigate Best Results for Ablation and Novel Therapies for Atrial Fibrillation

    Time to atrial fibrillation, after employing a 3-month blanking period. Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence includes patient-reported symptoms of AF or Kardia-based ECG evidence of AF.

    Recruiting

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    The MARY-JANE Cannabis and Heart Rhythm Trial

    Participants will be wearing a continuously recording ECG monitor for two weeks. The primary outcome will be change in premature atrial contraction (PAC) and PVC frequency due to cannabis consumption or avoidance during the monito...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation?

    The number of patient's with AF and/or AFlutter recurrence following direct current electrical cardioversion will be compared

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    The Heart Rhythm Twins Study

    This will be measured using a wearable EKG monitor.

    Recruiting

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    Related clinics

    Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service

    400 Parnassus Ave., Fifth Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94143

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