Comprehensive Genetic Arrhythmia Program (CGAP)

CGAP’s mission is to treat and study inherited heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) through clinic and research efforts. Arrhythmias represent a serious health risk that can cause palpitations, fainting, or even sudden cardiac death (SCD). Nearly 250,000 Americans die suddenly annually and worldwide, there are 4-5 million SCDs per year.  Some arrhythmias are genetic and run in families. Fortunately, most arrhythmias are manageable and SCD is preventable with appropriate care. 

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

A Multidisciplinary Focus: Melding Experience, Expertise, Empathy

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 difficult to diagnose. Our team includes some of the world's leading experts in inherited arrhythmias. In clinic, they work together to make sure that each patient receives a precise diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.
  • Inherited arrhythmias affect both the patient and family members, creating unique challenges in clinical management across the lifespan. Families and managing providers can benefit from the experience of our experts. Multidisciplinary evaluations are designed to ensure that all patients and their families receive the most comprehensive evaluation and personalized care.
  • 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. In clinic, genetic testing and counseling is integrated into a patient’s comprehensive cardiac care. Genetic and family evaluation are also integral for the advancement of research to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment for families with genetic arrhythmias.

  • The 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 vast amount of data collected over many years. We are dedicated to CGAP's clinic and research efforts and to share new advances with patients and research participants who made this work possible.

The Power of Community: Working Together for the Health of Your Heart

CGAP provides patients, families, caregivers, and providers s a place to turn for information, treatment options, and referrals. We hope our resources will help you better understand the implications of these complex genetic conditions. Our research will take "the hands and hearts"—and heads—of all of us to succeed. Your ideas are welcome. Please share them with us at [email protected].