Cardiogenetics Familial Arrhythmia Program
Our team of experts provides a multidisciplinary approach to patients affected with familial arrhythmia syndromes such as Long QT syndrome, Short QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and idiopathic ventricular fibrillation. Patients are seen by a cardiac electrophysiologist who specializes in these conditions, in conjunction with a medical genetics specialist and a genetic counselor. Using a personalized approach, different clinical and genetic testing modalities are combined to provide an accurate diagnosis and patient-specific treatment. Moreover, screening and counseling are offered to families of patients afflicted with familial conditions.
Multiple genetic and environmental factors can contribute to the risk of arrhythmias in patients affected with these conditions. A detailed evaluation is required to assess the risk of patients and family members to be afflicted with these conditions.
 | Genetic and environmental factors affecting the “arrhythmic risk” in familial disorders. |
Patients seen in our familial arrhythmia clinic undergo a detailed and extensive evaluation that includes a personal and family history, physical examination and electrocardiogram, and additional ancillary testing as needed, such as stress tests, tilt-tests, electrophysiology study, drug challenge tests and genetic testing for specific conditions. All the testing is centralized in our clinic to provide a personalized treatment plan for each patient.
Conditions treated in our familial arrhythmia clinic include:
- Brugada syndrome
- Long QT syndrome
- Short QT syndrome
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD)
- Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation
- Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
Selected cardiogenetics publications from our specialists:
Arking D, Chugh SS, Chakravarti A, Spooner PM. Genomics in sudden cardiac death. Circulation Research. 2004;94(6):712-723.
Chugh SS, Cingolani E. Identifying the high-risk Brugada syndrome patient: let us get personal. Heart Rhythm. Jun 2012;9(6):917-8.
To make an appointment with one of our heart rhythm specialist, please call (310) 248-6679.
