For Referring Doctors
When to refer a patient
Children needing cardiac evaluation:
- Infants/children with murmur
- Antenatally diagnosed cardiac defects like VSDs or vascular rings
- Children suspected to have heart rhythm issues, fainting, near-fainting, family history of heart rhythm issues
- Cardiac screening with family history- e.g. bicuspid aortic valve, cardiomyopathy, mitral valve prolapse, Long QT syndrome
- Cardiac screening with genetic syndromes-e.g. Trisomy 21, Turner syndrome, Noonan syndrome, Marfan syndrome etc.
- Acquired cardiac issues- e.g., Kawasaki, myo-pericarditis, rheumatic heart disease.
- High risk for pulmonary hypertension- e.g., ex premmies, chronic respiratory issues, post diaphragmatic hernia surgery etc.
- Baseline cardiac evaluation before starting medications- e.g., Beta blockers.
Should you think the child needs to be seen urgently, please communicate with admin (0733458483) advising us of the need for urgent review, in addition to sending the referral letter. The admin team will discuss with Dr Moray and can connect you with him if you wish to communicate with him directly.. Please note that QPFC is only an outpatient clinic facility. If your patient is very unwell and likely to need inpatient care , please refer them to the nearest Emergency Department or call an ambulance based on the child’s clinical circumstances.
We would like to kindly advise the referring doctors that our service is not able to offer evaluation for the following conditions.
Assessment for a patent foramen ovale (PFO) for conditions like stroke, transient ischaemic attacks, migraine with aura etc.
Detailed assessment of the atrial septum with a transthoracic echocardiogram can be challenging beyond first few years of life on technical grounds. In addition to a standard transthoracic echocardiogram, PFO assessment may need a study called ‘bubble (agitated saline) study and/or transesophageal echocardiogram, both of which are not offered by this outpatient based clinical service. These services are likely to be offered by a hospital-based paediatrics cardiac service.
Evaluation and management of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
POTS is not a cardiac condition and is a disorder of autonomic nervous system and needs multidisciplinary management and is best managed by paediatricians with interest in POTS. Like most paediatric cardiologists, pharmacological management of POTS (which anyways is not evidence based) is not offered by this service. Please refer to this service only if there are concerns about cardiac structure and/or function and concerns about an arrhythmia based on the symptomatology.
Referral Form
Submit a Referral Form Online
