Heart of CanberraDr Kashif Kalam · Cardiologist

For referring doctors

Refer a patient

Indications by service, what to include, and where to send it.

How to send a referral

Secure messaging
HealthLink EDI: hayescar
Fax
02 6162 2742
Post
Suite 8, 12 Napier Close, Deakin ACT 2600

Or start the referral here

Open referral email

Still needed: Referring doctor, Practice and phone, Patient name, Patient date of birth, Urgency, Reason for referral / clinical question

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Please include

  • The clinical question you want answered
  • Relevant history and examination findings
  • Current medications and allergies
  • Recent ECGs, and any prior tracings for comparison
  • Recent bloods, including eGFR where contrast imaging may be needed
  • Previous cardiac imaging and reports, if held
  • Implanted device details, where relevant to MRI

Acute presentations should not be referred to an outpatient clinic. Suspected acute coronary syndrome, haemodynamic instability, or syncope with red-flag features should go to the emergency department.

Indications by service

Which test answers which question.

General cardiology

Performed in the rooms

  • Chest pain requiring risk stratification
  • Newly abnormal ECG
  • Murmur on examination
  • Palpitations, presyncope or syncope
  • Unexplained dyspnoea
  • Strong family history of premature coronary disease
  • Pre-operative cardiac assessment

Please include the clinical question, current medications, and any prior ECGs or imaging with the referral.

Echocardiography

Performed in the rooms

  • Murmur
  • Suspected or established heart failure
  • Valvular heart disease and surveillance
  • Assessment of LV function before or during cardiotoxic therapy
  • Suspected pulmonary hypertension
  • Atrial fibrillation — structural assessment

Chest pain and coronary assessment

Performed in the roomsassessment, stress echo and stress ECG; invasive angiography referred to hospital

  • Stable chest pain requiring risk stratification
  • Atypical chest pain with cardiovascular risk factors
  • Abnormal or equivocal stress test
  • Incidental coronary calcification on imaging

Acute coronary syndromes should go to the emergency department, not to an outpatient clinic.

Cardiac CT angiography

Referred to another specialist or centreperformed at partner radiology practices

  • Stable chest pain with low to intermediate pre-test probability
  • Equivocal or non-diagnostic functional testing
  • Assessment of coronary anatomy where anatomical detail is required

Renal function and contrast allergy history are needed before booking. Rate control may be contraindicated in some patients.

Cardiac MRI

Referred to another specialist or centreperformed at partner radiology practices

  • Suspected or established cardiomyopathy
  • Myocarditis
  • Assessment of myocardial scar and viability
  • Accurate ventricular volume and function quantification
  • Poor echocardiographic windows

Please include eGFR and any implanted device details with the referral.

Rhythm assessment

Performed in the rooms

  • Palpitations
  • Syncope or presyncope
  • Documented or suspected atrial fibrillation
  • Bradycardia or pauses
  • Abnormal ECG requiring characterisation

Syncope with exertion, or with a family history of sudden cardiac death, warrants earlier assessment.

Heart failure and pulmonary hypertension

Performed in the rooms

  • New or worsening dyspnoea
  • Suspected heart failure with reduced or preserved ejection fraction
  • Elevated natriuretic peptides
  • Suspected pulmonary hypertension on echocardiography
  • Cardiomyopathy requiring ongoing management

Cardiac CT and cardiac MRI are requested through the practice and performed at partner radiology practices. For a clinical quick reference by presentation, preparation sheets and fees, see referrer resources.