CGAP Our Research

The Comprehensive Genetic Arrhythmia Program (CGAP) is a privately funded research effort that is the result of a generous gift from the Shaskikala and Dipanjan Deb family. CGAP is initially focusing on six specific conditions through which we hope to make significant contributions to both patient care as well as to the advancement of medical genetics:

Since the focus of this research is inherited arrhythmias, there is a strong emphasis on familial aspects. CGAP attempts to identify family members who may carry the genetic mutation in order to provide optimal care for affected individuals and family members. We hope to have the participation of the "index" case—the first family member with the condition who is brought to our attention—and as many relevant family members as possible. Evaluating family members can help us determine the right diagnosis and may be critical for finding the genetic cause of the arrhythmia.

Clinical Research Studies

1. Study Title: Genetics of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Status: Now recruiting. See referral information below. 

The Genetics of Cardiac Arrhythmias is an ongoing, single-center study focused on identifying new genes associated with inherited arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). It will use UCSF resources and laboratories for subject recruitment, enrollment, research genetic analysis, data collection and analysis, and follow-up subject contacts. Potential subjects of either sex and of any age or race may participate. Total enrollment is anticipated to be 400 subjects.

Potential study participants will need to show that you, or a family member, meet the enrollment criteria BEFORE you can enroll in this study. The study team will ask for records of the clinical tests the doctors used, including clinical genetic counseling or clinical genetic testing, to help make the diagnosis in your family. If you qualify and choose to participate, you will be asked to provide a blood, saliva, or buccal cell specimen that will be banked for future DNA analysis. If in the future your specimen shows a result that in the best judgment of the study doctors appears to be of clinical significance or utility, your specimen will be re-tested by a CLIA-certified lab; this test will require a second DNA specimen. You will also be asked to speak with our genetic counselor to discuss what your results may mean. There are no other requirements for participating in this research study.

2. Study Title: CGAP Biospecimen Bank for Inherited Arrhythmias and Cardiomyopathies

Status: Now recruiting. See referral information below. 

3. Study Title: Exercise response of the right heart in healthy adult relatives of patients with ARVC

Status: Now recruiting. See referral information below. 

4. Study Title: An in-depth analysis of the relationship between electrophysiological study (EPS) results and surface electrocardiograms (ECGs)

Status: Not recruiting new patients.

5. Study Title: Single center update on Brugada syndrome

Status: Not recruiting new patients.

6. Study Title: Application of Artificial Intelligence to Better Discern Arrhythmia Mechanisms

Status: Not recruiting patients.

Referrals & Evaluations

Patients interested in learning more about our research studies or physicians interested in referring a patient to our research studies should contact the study coordinator by email at [email protected] or by phone at 415-514-7310. They can provide you with a checklist detailing the medical information you will need to provide in order to be evaluated for study participation.

Participation in any research study is at-will: You can end your participation at any time, for any reason. You may also be asked to end participation if study management believes it is best for your health. All research performed at UCSF adheres to strict, federally mandated guidelines for the protection of human research subjects and the protection of personal health information.