What is CIDG?

CIDG is a national network of specialist clinicians and scientists working to prevent sudden death due to inherited heart diseases.

Each of the members of the group has their own employing hospital or health board. Aside from the central coordinators based within ADHB, CIDG does not have any funding for tests and investigations, but helps facilitate family screening across the country.

Which conditions does CIDG deal with?

The commonest familial heart conditions are long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. CIDG also coordinates nationally the family and genetic investigation for sudden unexpected natural deaths in 1-40 year olds. CIDG works closely with the national forensic and coronial services.

Who leads CIDG?

The national clinical leader is Associate Professor Jon Skinner, children's heart rhythm specialist, at Starship Children's Hospital.

Which doctors belong to CIDG?

A group of doctors from each region belong to CIDG. The majority are cardiologists, paediatricians, geneticists and pathologists. A list is available at www.cidg.org

Is this just for children?

No, CIDG facilitates family screening for all family members. The heart tests are usually performed locally, in your local hospital. Children sometimes have specialised heart tests at the Starship Hospital and test results can be copied and sent to other specialists for opinion.

Anybody can refer to CIDG for advice, including the patients themselves. The coordinator will help them link to a local clinician with the necessary expertise.

Any pathologist dealing with a sudden death who requires advice, should call Dr. Skinner in the first instance via the hospital switch board, or relay a question via the administrator ().

Any clinician is welcome to phone or write for advice regarding their patients or families. It is almost always appropriate for the patient to be seen by a local specialist first.

Regarding written requests, please include as much detail about the family and the clinical presentation, including test results (particularly ECGs) necessary to permit an informed response.