Genetic heart disease

Emergency referrals

All urgent cases must be discussed with the on call Registrar to obtain appropriate prioritisation and treatment. Contact through:

Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (07) 3646 8111
The Prince Charles Hospital (07) 3139 4000
Caboolture Hospital (07) 5433 8888
Redcliffe Hospital (07) 3883 7777

Urgent cases accepted via phone must be accompanied with a written referral and a copy faxed immediately to the Central Patient Intake Unit: 1300 364 952.

Other important information for referring practitioners

When to refer

If a relative of a patient with inheritable cardiac disease, for diagnosis, clinical screening, genetic counselling and advice.
If suspect genetic/congenital heart disease, for diagnosis, genetic counselling, management and follow up.

Clinical screening

It is recommended that all first degree relatives of patients with known genetic cardiac disease undergo clinical screening by a Cardiologist with experience in this field of Cardiology.

Genetic testing

May be considered in individuals with specific cardiac genetic disorders (diagnostic testing) or their family members (predictive testing).

Genetic cardiac conditions

Over 40 cardiac diseases with a genetic basis exist. Brisbane has an enthusiastic cardiac genetic team and encourages families with genetic cardiac diseases to register on a database. This website contains useful information about the most common disorders listed below.

The Heart Foundation’s Heart Failure Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology guidelines provide some additional information regarding patient management.

Referral requirements

A referral may be rejected without the following information.

Essential referral information

Medical history of condition
Family history (this is very important)
Relevant previous medical history and co-morbidities
Management to date
Medications and allergies/intolerances
Investigations
- FBC, E/LFTs
- Resting ECG
- Echocardiogram

Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)

Any investigations relevant to any co-morbidities (HBA1c if diabetic, lung function testing if COPD etc)

Out of catchment

Metro North Health is responsible for providing public health services to the people who reside within its boundaries. Special consideration is made for patients requiring tertiary care or services that are not provided by their local Hospital and Health Service. If your patient lives outside the Metro North Health area and you wish to refer them to one of our services, inclusion of information regarding their particular medical and social factors will assist with the triaging of your referral.

Clinical Modifiers (where relevant)

Impact on employment
Impact on education
Impact on home
Impact on activities of daily living
Impact on ability to care for others
Impact on personal frailty or safety
Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Reason for Referral (essential)

To establish a diagnosis
For treatment or intervention
For advice and management
For specialist to take over management
Reassurance for GP/second opinion
For a specified test/investigation the GP can’t order, or the patient can’t afford or access
Reassurance for the patient/family
For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

Clinical Information (essential)

Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
Physical findings
Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
Body mass index (BMI)
Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
Current medications and dosages
Drug allergies
Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use