title: Open-access echocardiography to general practitioners for suspected heart failure.
abstract: Echocardiography is now considered to be the key investigation when heart failure is suspected, and should improve clinical management. An open-access echocardiography service was piloted to 24 general practitioners and the service was audited after 250 cases. The impact on clinical management was assessed by reviewing general practice notes 2 months after the echocardiogram. Significant impairment of left ventricular function was found in 49 patients (20%). Out of these subjects, 38 had been started on an ACE inhibitor. Twenty patients were considered to have a significant valve lesion by echocritiera, of whom 14 had been referred for a cardiological opinion. The provision of an open-access echocardiography service was popular with general practitioners and the information resulted in appropriate management decisions being made.
authors.affiliation: Darlington Memorial Hospital, County Durham.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Frain
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bossingham
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014463:Ultrasonography