Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic
The following guidelines are to be used when referring to RCHT. Please see the link at the bottom of this page for information on referring a patient to NDDH.
Introduction:
- The Rapid Access Chest Pain Service rapidly investigates cardiac sounding chest pain in keeping with NICE guidance.
- Completed forms will be triaged by chest pain nurses.
- The patient will be offered a remote or face to face consultation.
Referral Indications:
-
Chest pain* due to suspected angina eg:
- constricting discomfort in centre of chest, jaw, arm
- precipitated by exertion and stress
- alleviated by rest or GTN within minutes
Referral Exclusions:
How to refer:
- Complete Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic Form
If chest pain type is not typical for angina but suspicion is raised by other aspects of the history, risk factors or ECG ensure these are highlighted on the form*.
- Attach a recent ECG
- Attach patient profile including past medical history, cardiac history if relevant, medications and allergies.
-
Please ensure you record whether heart sounds are normal or abnormal, and a BP otherwise the referral will be rejected
Pending the appointment:
- Please request baseline bloods: eGFR, FBC, lipid profile, liver function tests, thyroid function and cholesterol
- Please request a chest x-ray
- Consider initiation/ optimisation of cardioprotective medications (aspirin, beta blocker, statin and ACE-inhibitor) and additional symptomatic relief (GTN spray, oral nitrates , calcium channel antagonists and nicorandil)
*Chest pain described as non anginal does not require investigation according to NICE guidance. These referrals will be rejected unless sufficient supporting information is provided (e.g. other indicators in description of the pain, past cardiac history, risk factors or abnormal investigations which heighten suspicion).
If deemed not suitable for urgent cardiac chest pain clinic yet clinical concern remains regarding underlying ischaemia please refer to a general cardiology clinic.
Referring To NDDH
Please click here for the NDDH referral guidelines and proforma
References
NICE guidance CG95, Nov 2016
Date reviewed 10/10/2021
Next review due 10/10/2022
Contributors Dr Louise Melley – Assistant Specialist Cardiology RCHT
Dr B Wesson, GP & Kernow RMS Cardiology Guideline lead
Dr Christopher Gibbs, Consultant Cardiologist, NDDH
Version 2.1