Referrals for echocardiography

Borders Ref Help Toolkit
NHS Borders

Information

NHS Borders does not offer a direct access echo service except in patients with suspected heart failure with raised NT pro BNP. If you feel an echocardiogram alone is warranted without the need for clinical assessment, please refer to Cardiology requesting “echo only”. This type of referral would be suitable for a patient with a previously undiagnosed and asymptomatic murmur. Patients with cardiac murmurs and cardiac symptoms should be referred for clinical assessment.

Who to refer, who not to refer, how to refer

Who to refer:

Asymptomatic murmur requiring investigation. – “Echo only” referral stated on SCI gateway.

Patient for screening who have family history of cardiomyopathies or bicuspid aortic valve.

Abnormal ECG with bundle branch block

Individualised care for symptomatic frail patients with murmur

Most patients with atrial fibrillation, especially if they are young, suitable for rhythm control, or there is a high risk or suspicion of underlying structural or functional heart disease (such as heart murmur or heart failure).

 

Who not to refer:

  • Any cardiac symptoms – refer for cardiac assessment via Cardiology
  • Breathless patients thought to have heart failure – please see  Heart Failure
  • Patients with atrial fibrillation where a rate control strategy is being adopted and there are no additional indications for an echo (see above “Who to refer?”)

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 01/09/2025

Next review date: 01/09/2027

Author(s): Dr. Pinky Yadav , Dr. Tomasz Waszyrowski.

Author email(s): Pinky.yadav@borders.scot.nhs.uk.