Cardiology Clinic

Peninsula Health’s Cardiology Clinic sees eligible patients with:

  • Hypertension
  • Syncope/Presyncope
  • Palpitations

Referrals

Referral addressed to named Head of Clinic is preferred. 

The GP Referral Template located within the Mastercare Referralnet system is the preferred referral tool.  For faxed referrals: FAX 9125 9846

Categories for Appointment

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Clinical DescriptionEstimated Wait Time
Category 1 Urgent– Condition will require more complex or emergent care if assessment is delayed
– Condition will have significant impact on quality of life if care is delayed beyond thirty (30) days
Appointment within thirty (30) days is desirable
Category 2 Semi-urgent– Condition has the potential to have some impact on quality of life if care is delayed beyond ninety (90) daysAppointment within ninety (90) days is desirable
Category 3 Routine– Condition is unlikely to deteriorate quickly
– Condition is unlikely to require more complex care if assessment is delayed beyond 365 days E.g. Hypertension
Appointment within 365 days desirable
EmergencyPersistent Palpitations with any of the following
○ Shortness of breath
○ Chest pain
○ Heart failure
○ Syncope, pre-syncope or loss of consciousness

Syncope or pre-syncope with any of the following
○ Exertional onset
○ Chest pain
○ Persistent hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg) or bradycardia (< 50 beats per minute) on electrocardiogram (ECG)
○ Evidence of second, or third-degree block on electrocardiogram (ECG) 
○ Severe, persistent headache
○ Focal neurological deficits
○ Preceded by, or associated with, palpitations
○ Known ischaemic heart disease or reduced left ventricular systolic function
○ Associated with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
○ ‘Pre-excited’ QRS wave on electrocardiogram (ECG)
○ Suspected malfunction of a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
○ Absence of prodrome
○ Associated injury
○ Occurs while supine or sitting.

Hypertensive emergency (persistent blood pressure > 220/140)

Persistent severe hypertension with systolic blood pressure > 180 mmHg with any of the following:
○ Headache
○ Confusion
○ Blurred vision
○ Retinal haemorrhage
○ Reduced level of consciousness
○ Seizure(s)
○ Proteinuria Papilloedema
○ A pregnant woman with pre-eclampsia with uncontrolled severe hypertension (i.e. diastolic blood pressure > 110 mmHg or systolic blood pressure > 170 mmHg)
To emergency department

Eligibility Criteria

Syncope/Presyncope

  • New episode(s) of syncope or pre-syncope (after any emergency assessment)
  • Recurrent syncope with undetermined cause
  • Information that must be provided in the referral
    • Description of syncopal or pre-syncopal events and associated features
    • Lying or sitting/standing blood pressure
    • Relevant medical history
    • Any family history of sudden cardiac death or cardiac disease
    • Recent electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings, relevant to syncopal or pre-syncopal events
    • Current and complete medication history (including non-prescription medicines, herbs and supplements and recreational or injectable drugs).
    • Provide if available
      • Any imaging results that show the presence of impaired left ventricular function
      • Holter monitor report
      • Echocardiogram report
      • Recent urea and electrolytes
      • Recent full blood examination
      • Recent thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level
      • If the person identifies as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. See additional comments.

Hypertension

  • Severe persistent hypertension > 180/110
  • Refractory hypertension (blood pressure > 140/90) in patients: already taking >3 meds
  • Information that must be included in the referral
    • Blood pressure measurements, preferably taken on both arms Details of all relevant signs and symptoms
    • Relevant medical history and comorbidities
    • Any treatments previously tried, duration of trial and effect
    • Current and complete medication history (including non-prescription medicines, herbs and supplements and recreational or injectable drugs)
    • Provide if available
      • History of smoking and alcohol intake
      • Liver function tests
      • Full blood examination results
      • Fasting lipids profile results
      • Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
      • Urinalysis results
      • Urine protein tests results
      • Renal artery duplex report (if renal artery stenosis is suspected and report is available)
      • Previous 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings
      • Echocardiogram report
      • If the person is pregnant or planning pregnancy
      • If the person identifies as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

Palpitations

Palpitations with any of the following:

  • abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • abnormal echocardiogram
  • other cardiac disease
  • functional impact of symptoms on daily activities including impact on work, study, or carer role
  • family history of sudden cardiac death or structural heart disease.

Additional comments

  • Please include the essential demographic details and clinical information in the referral
  • Consider the possibility of secondary hypertension in younger patients.

Exclusion Criteria

Please note, we do not accept referrals for

  • Children, refer to Paediatric Cardiology Clinic: Run through a partnership with Monash Health. Refer to Monash Children’s Hospital Cardiology
  • Palpitations unless there is a documented arrhythmia on ECG or Holter monitoring
  • Undifferentiated shortness of breath without the results of an echocardiogram
  • Patients who are already under the care of a cardiologist
  • Referral to cardiology is not appropriate for
    • Patients with mild or brief orthostatic dizziness
    • Dizziness due to a medicine or hypoglycaemia
    • Dizziness due to chronic fatigue syndrome.

Alternative referral options

  • Other cardiology practices within your local area
  • Paediatric Cardiology Clinic: Run through a partnership with Monash Health. Refer to Monash Children’s Hospital Cardiology Cardiology – Monash Children’s Hospital (monashchildrenshospital.org)
  • Note: there are also neurology and ENT state-wide referral criteria for Vertigo. Where appropriate and available, the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.
  • See also Obstetrics state-wide referral criteria for Pre-Eclampsia and Maternal medical conditions (which includes referrals for severe refractory hypertension). Where appropriate and available, the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.

Make a referral

All referrals to this clinic must contain the following information.

Referral: Date of referral, Speciality, Referring practitioner, Provider Number, Referrer’s signature.

Patient Demographic: Full name, Date of birth, Postal address, Contact numbers, Medicare Number, Interpreter required.

Clinical: Reason for referral, Duration of symptoms, Management to date, Past medical history, Current medications, Allergies, Diagnostics as per referral guidelines X-ray results/reports must be within the last 6 months.

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