Pediatric Cardiology Referral Guidelines
Long known for its expertise and pioneering new treatments – especially in diagnosing and treating congenital disorders – The Willson Heart Center at Valley Children’s provides comprehensive, family-centered pediatric care for all forms of cardiovascular disease for children from before birth to young adulthood. The Center uses advanced techniques and sophisticated, child-size instruments to perform even the most difficult procedures through the smallest incisions with equal or superior clinical results.
Cardiology services are provided on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Emergency cardiac services are available 24 hours a day. The Center provides assessment and follow-up care for approximately 7,500 outpatient visits each year. Every effort is made to treat children in the outpatient environment close to the home, thereby reducing patient families’ stress and discomfort and need for excessive travel.
We perform approximately 9,700 annual echocardiographic studies, including transthoracic, transesophageal, fetal and intracardiac echocardiograms. We work in tandem with maternal-fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists to assist in managing prenatally diagnosed cardiac conditions. Our electrophysiology clinic provides assessment and follow-up care for outpatients with known or suspected cardiac conduction abnormalities, including medical genetics to specifically tailor therapy.
We offer outpatient cardiology services across the region to provide children and families access to care close to home. Some of our cardiologists live near and practice full-time at Valley Children’s pediatric subspecialty centers in Merced, Modesto and Bakersfield. We also provide pediatric cardiology services in Visalia and the Central Coast.
Our pediatric cardiology specialists are always available for consultations and urgent patient appointments.
Refer to Cardiology
Refer to the Willson Heart Center at Valley Children's online through CareLink or our referral portal, or refer via fax.
Refer a patient to cardiologyCardiology Office Numbers
Contact Pediatric Cardiology via phone (559-353-6257) or fax (559-353-5455).
Contact a Physician Liaison
Physicians can reach a physician liaison for help with referrals or other questions by calling 559-353-7229.
Tips for an Effective Visit
- Talk with your patient and family about the reason for the referral and the questions to be answered.
- Please send all pertinent information, including any recent lab tests and copies of any diagnostic tests ahead of time to allow us to better serve our patients and their families.
| Disease State | Suggested Work-up and Initial Management | When to Refer |
|---|---|---|
| Murmur |
None: All necessary testing can be done in our office at the time Send: Office note documenting when murmur first heard May have EKG at cardiology evaluation and possibly echo |
If practitioner is uncomfortable with physical exam findings Prior to competitive sports participation if felt to be pathologic Parental concern |
| Chest pain |
Does not need prior EKG or echo All necessary testing can be done in our office at the time of referral CXR if musculoskeletal pain is suspected Send: Office note documenting when problem started; documentation of any relevant tests Will have EKG at cardiology evaluation and possibly echo, stress test or event monitor |
When overall status stable with a CD of imaging, preferably within one week of injury |
| Syncope |
None: All necessary testing can be done in our office at the time of referral Send: Office note documenting when problem started; documentation of any relevant tests Will have EKG at cardiology evaluation and possibly echo, stress test or event monitor |
Prior to competitive sports participation If cardiac cause is suspected If therapy is indicated |
| Palpitations |
EKG - can be faxed or sent for our evaluation; have family keep a log of events Send: Office note documenting when problem started; documentation of any relevant tests Will have EKG at cardiology evaluation and possibly echo, stress test or event monitor |
When palpitations are frequent or severe |
| Abnormal EKG |
Send or fax EKG before referral; we can help determine if referral is indicated Send: Office records Will have EKG at cardiology evaluation and possibly echo |
|
| Family history |
Family history of sudden cardiac death at young age; family history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Send: Any office records and records of family member Will have EKG at cardiology evaluation and possibly echo, stress test or event monitor |
At time of diagnosis in family member |
| Hyperlipidemia |
May be managed by primary care; selected referrals may be appropriate Fasting lipid profile prior to visit |
|
| Hypertension | Referral to Nephrology if not associated with coarctation of the aorta -- will have EKG at cardiology evaluation and possibly echo, stress test or event monitor |