Cardiovascular Health Improvement Project
Explore CHIP
About
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. The goal of the Cardiovascular Health Improvement Project (CHIP) is to learn more about individuals with aortic diseases and other cardiovascular-related conditions through collecting and analyzing blood and clinical data from patients. We enroll patients from clinics at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center and off-sites, as well as through referrals.
By doing this, we can learn more about the genetics behind CVD, help clinicians provide the best care for their patients, and lower the incidence of CVD.
Mission Statement
To create a biorepository aiming to elucidate genetic and environmental causes of cardiovascular disease through the collection of DNA, plasma, serum, family history information as well as clinical and epidemiological outcomes.
Vision
Facilitate scientific discovery by providing faculty and researchers with biospecimen and clinical data from our established biorepository and comprehensive clinical database.
Our Patient Population
CHIP has over 8,000 participants and over 4,500 tissue samples. Our biorepository began enrolling patients in the Fall of 2013, and has helped researchers learn more about different types of cardiovascular diseases.
We are currently enrolling patients who have one or more of the following diagnoses or demographics:
- Aortic disease
- Connective tissue disorders
- Bicuspid aortic valve
- Heart Failure
By the Numbers
Collaborate with CHIP
If you are a researcher looking for data or biospecimen, please reach out regarding sample usage, starting a new cohort, or inquiries about pilot data for grant submissions. If you are interested in making a general inquiry about availability, please complete the request or email [email protected]
Participate in CHIP
We enroll research participants from various clinics within the UMH Frankel Cardiovascular Center, as well as via referral to our facility. To learn more about how you can participate in the CHIP study, contact us at 734-232-4779 or [email protected] with questions about participating in the study.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of now, we are enrolling any patients with the following diagnoses or demographics: aortic disease, connective tissue disorders, bicuspid aortic valve, and heart failure.
We enroll patients from various clinics within the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center, as well as by referral. If you would like to participate in our study, but aren’t a patient at the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center, let us know!
You will be asked to complete three tasks: a detailed family history, a few surveys and a one-time blood draw.
That is okay! We collect a variety of information from our patients, and each part helps us reach our goal of understanding cardiovascular disease.
Only the CHIP team has access to all of your information. UM researchers may apply to have access to information, but they must first be approved by the CHIP Access Committee.
Yes. There are no restrictions for this study regarding participation in other studies.
No. Our study requires new samples because they are processed in a different lab at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center.
No. Any tissue that was previously assigned for research use is not available to our study.
Yes. We are interested in learning about all aspects of cardiovascular disease.
CHIP is a one-time commitment. Everything can be completed on the day of your clinic visit.
Possibly. Outside researchers have the ability to apply for access to de-identified information, but the decision lies with the CHIP Access Committee.
Yes. Anyone who fits our eligibility criteria is invited to participate.
No. We will assume all costs associated with this study. Your insurance will never be billed for your participation.
It is possible that someone may find out you are part of the study, but we do our best to decrease the risk of this occurring. We de-identify all of your information, use password-encrypted computers, and obey the rules of HIPAA.
Unfortunately, no we cannot pay you for participating in our study.
We would destroy any biological samples and clinical information we have collected from you, and remove you from our study. Keep in mind that if we can no longer identify your samples or information as coming from you, we cannot undo any research once a study has been started.
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Contact CHIP
To learn more about collaborating with us, please contact us via phone at (734) 232-4779 or email at [email protected].
