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Cardiology

Conditions

Cardiology services are provided at 4 locations within the Metro North area by the Department of Cardiology. These hospitals are, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, The Prince Charles Hospital, Caboolture Hospital and Redcliffe Hospital. Patients will be allocated to the various facilities based on their postcode, the availability of particular services at those facilities and to improve equity of access across the district.

Paediatric services

Paediatric cardiology services are provided from the Childrens Hospital Qld (CHQ). Please consult CHQ guidelines for any paediatric cardiology referrals.

Heart Outreach Program for Health Equity (HOPE)

The Heart Outreach Program for Health Equity (HOPE) is a specialist outpatient cardiology clinic for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander patients 16 years and over. Clinics are held weekly at MATSICHS Caboolture and MATSICHS Margate and offer on-site telecardiac investigations including ECHO and Holter Monitors. Please refer to the HOPE Program information for clinic details and referral pathways.

Emergency department referrals

Phone on call Cardiology Registrar via:

  • Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital switch – (07) 3646 8111
  • The Prince Charles Hospital switch – (07) 3139 4000
  • Redcliffe Hospital switch – (07) 3883 7777
  • Caboolture Hospital switch – (07) 5433 8888

and send patient to the Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) at their nearest hospital.

If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

  • Suspected chest pain within 24 hours that is associated with any of the following concerning features:
    • Severe or ongoing chest pain
    • Ischemic chest pain lasting ten minutes or more
    • Recurrent chest pain that is new at rest or occurring with minimal activity
    • Chest pain accompanied by severe dyspnoea
    • Chest pain associated with any of the following clinical signs:
      • syncope / pre-syncope
      • respiratory rate > 30 breaths per minute
      • tachycardia >120 bpm
      • systolic BP < 90mmHg
      • heart failure / suspected pulmonary oedema
      • ST elevation or depression
      • complete heart block
      • new left bundle branch block

  • Atrial fibrillation / flutter with any of the following concerning features:
    • Haemodynamic instability
    • Shortness of breath
    • Chest pain
    • Syncope/pre-syncope/dizziness
    • Evidence of pre-excited QRS (delta waves)
    • Neurological deficit indicative of TIA/stroke
    • Uncontrolled Tachycardia/heart rate despite medical therapy

  • Suspected acute coronary syndrome
  • Suspected pulmonary embolism or aortic dissection
  • Suspected or confirmed endocarditis, myocarditis or pericarditis
  • Suspected ischaemic chest pain within 24 hours with any of the following concerning features
  • Chest pain that is:
    • severe or ongoing
    • lasting ten minutes or more
    • new at rest or with minimal activity
    • associated with severe dyspnoea
    • associated with syncope / pre-syncope
    • associated with any of the following signs:
      • respiratory rate > 30 breaths per minute
      • tachycardia >120
      • systolic BP < 90mmHg
      • heart failure / suspected pulmonary oedema
      • ST elevation or depression
      • complete heart block
      • new left bundle branch block

  • Acute or chronic heart failure with any of the following concerning features:
    • NYHA Class IV heart failure
    • Ongoing chest pain
    • Significant orthopnoea/PND
    • Oxygen saturation < 90%
    • Clinical and/or radiographic signs of acute pulmonary oedema
    • Haemodynamic instability:
      • pre-syncope / syncope / severe dizziness
      • altered level of consciousness
      • heart rate > 120 beats per minute
      • systolic BP < 90mmHg with symptoms of hypoperfusion
      • systolic BP < 80mmHg irrespective of symptoms
    • Significant pulmonary or pedal oedema
    • Recent myocardial infarction
    • Pregnant patient
    • Signs of myocarditis
    • Signs of acute decompensated heart failure

NB: Early discussion with the patient’s usual heart failure team would be advised for local care protocols

  • Hypertensive emergency (BP>220/140)
  • Severe hypertension with systolic BP >180mmHg with any of the following concerning features:
    • Headache
    • Confusion
    • Blurred vision
    • Retinal haemorrhage
    • Reduced level of consciousness
    • Seizures
    • Proteinuria
    • Papilloedema
    • Signs of heart failure
    • Chest pain
  • If suspected pregnancy induced hypertension or pre-eclampsia refer patient to the emergency department of a facility that offers obstetric services where possible.

  • New murmur with any of the following concerning features
    • haemodynamic instability
    • persistent or progressive shortness of breath (NYHA Class III – IV)
    • chest pain
    • syncope / pre-syncope / dizziness
    • neurological deficit indicative
    • abnormal ECG (e.g. LV hypertrophy, AF, LBBB, RBBB)
    • fever or constitutional symptoms suggestive of infection (eg endocarditis, acute rheumatic fever)
    • signs of heart failure

  • Palpitations with any of the following concerning features
    • chest pain
    • shortness of breath
    • loss of consciousness
    • syncope / pre-syncope
    • persisting tachyarrhythmia on ECG

  • Unresolved acute supraventricular tachycardia with any of the following concerning features:
    • Syncope
    • Severe dizziness
    • Ongoing chest pain
    • Increasing shortness of breath
    • Hypotension
    • Signs of cardiac failure
    • Ventricular rate >120 bpm

  • Syncope with any of the following concerning features:
    • Exertional onset
    • Chest pain
    • Persistent hypotension (systolic BP <90mmHg)
    • Severe persistent headache
    • Focal neurological deficits
    • Preceded by or associated with palpitations
    • Known ischaemic heart disease or reduced LV systolic function
    • Associated with SVT or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
    • Evidence of pre-excited QRS (delta waves) on ECG
    • Suspected malfunction of pacemaker or ICD
    • Absence of prodrome
    • Associated injury
    • Occurs while supine or sitting
    • Seizures

  • Pacemaker/ICD
    • delivery of 2 or more shocks by ICD in 24 hours
    • suspected pacemaker/ defibrillator malfunction (with ECG evidence)
    • pacemaker/ICD device erosion
  • Bradycardia including any of the following:
    • symptomatic bradycardia
    • PR interval on ECG exceeding 300ms
    • second degree or complete heart block
  • Broad complex tachycardia
  • Suspected or confirmed endocarditis, myocarditis or pericarditis

Scope of service

Please note that the following services are available through the Metro North Cardiology Department:

  • Coronary angiogram
  • Coronary angioplasty
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Echocardiography
  • Ischaemic heart disease
  • Left atrial appendage occlusion
  • Pacing and defibrillation
  • Percutaneous valve replacement
  • Pericardial disease
  • Prosthetic heart valve
  • Structural heart disease (ASD/PFO)
  • Valvular heart disease
  • Valvuloplasty
  • Peripheral vascular disease

  • Adult congenital heart disease
  • Adult congenital heart disease 13 years +
  • Advanced heart failure including mechanical cardiac support (Ventricular Assist Devices)
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrophysiology
  • Heart transplant
  • Ischaemic heart disease including coronary angiography and angioplasty
  • Murmurs
  • Pacing and defibrillation
  • Marfan’s syndrome (Pediatric and adult)
  • Peripheral vascular intervention
  • Septal defects
  • Structural heart disease
  • Telehealth
  • Valve abnormalities

  • Cardiac genetics
  • Cardiac obstetrics
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Coronary angiogram
  • Coronary angioplasty
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrophysiology
  • Heart failure
  • Ischaemic heart disease
  • Pacing and defibrillation

Special facilities

Please note that special accommodation (Medihotel) is available on site at The Prince Charles Hospital for the use of patients from out of town requiring investigations and or review spread over more than one day.

Specialists list

Send referral

Hotline: 1300 364 938

Medical Objects ID: MQ40290004P
HealthLink EDI: qldmnhhs

Mail:
Metro North Central Patient Intake
Aspley Community Centre
776  Zillmere Road
ASPLEY QLD 4034

Health pathways

Access to Health Pathways is free for clinicians in Metro North Brisbane.

For login details email:
healthpathways@brisbanenorthphn.org.au

Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
brisbanenorth.healthpathwayscommunity.org

Locations

Resources

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