Healthcare Providers
Services & Resources
Welcome to the professional resources section of North Star Cardiology, a dedicated space designed for healthcare providers. Our mission is to facilitate seamless collaboration and enhance patient care through a comprehensive understanding of the services we offer. Here, you will find essential tools such as referral forms, detailed service descriptions, and links to important clinical guidelines.
Download our referral forms:
Our Services
Cardiology Consultation
Fetal Cardiology — We perform comprehensive assessments to complement the fetal echocardiograms performed at the clinic to provide guidance regarding diagnosis, management, and further investigation. Families receiving new diagnoses are counselled in a dedicated, comfortable space and walked through the diagnosis, prognosis, management, and options. See below for indications for fetal cardiology consultation.
Pediatric Cardiology — Consultation for any potential or known cardiac concerns is offered from newborn to 18 years old. Our care is family-centred and easily accessible to all families in Alberta. We are open to referrals from the territories and neighbouring provinces.
Fetal Echocardiogram
A fetal echocardiogram can provide fine detail about the fetal cardiac and vascular structures and physiology. As early as 12 weeks gestation, we can assess for congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, high cardiac output, and other cardiac and vascular issues. Early diagnosis allows for treatment and planning.
Echocardiogram
We use a state-of-the-art ultrasound machine to take exceptional images of each and every patient. Full reports are attached to consultation letters and provided to the referring physician. Patients can stream movies and TV or can watch the scan in comfort.
Holter Monitor
We provide Holter monitors to patients, interpret the results, and provide consultation for further management advice. In suitable situations, a Kardia device may be provided instead for similar diagnostic utility.
Electrocardiogram
We perform and interpret 12-lead ECGs for screening and diagnosis.
Fetal Cardiology
Indications
Here you’ll find a detailed list of fetal indications for referral. Should there be any uncertainty about the
advisability of a referral, please feel free to contact North Star Cardiology for guidance. We are available by
phone at (587) 855-1500 or by email at info@northstarcardiology.ca.
Maternal Indications
- IVF pregnancy
- Pre-existing Diabetes or GDM <26 wks
- Phenylketonuria (uncontrolled)
- Infection with suspicion of fetal myocarditis
- Exposure to rubella (1st trimester), NSAIDS (3rd trimester), ACEi, paroxetine, anticonvulsants, lithium, retinoic acid
Familial Indications
- CHD in first degree relative of fetus
- Cardiomyopathy in first degree relative of fetus
- First or second degree relative of fetus with disorder with Mendelian inheritance and CHD association
Fetal Indications
- Suspected cardiac anomaly
- Extracardiac anomaly
- Fetal hydrops/effusions
- Abnormal karyotype
- High risk genetic screening (FTS, NIPS, etc)
- Single umbilical artery
- Fetal arrhythmia
- Increased NT (>3 mm)
- Multiple gestation (including Monochorionic twinning)
Resources
Below, you will find links to the latest guidance on fetal echocardiography from the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), and American Heart Association (AHA).
American Society of Echocardiography
Guidelines and Recommendations for Performance of the Fetal Echocardiogram: An Update from the American Society of Echocardiography
American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine
AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Fetal Echocardiography
American Heart Association
Diagnosis and Treatment of Fetal Cardiac Disease – A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association