Question 1

What is cardiac clearance?

Accepted Answer

It provides the anesthesia team with the information they need about your child's heart for a safe anesthesia plan. Elective procedures are best deferred until your child is well, particularly during a respiratory infection - since surgery and anesthesia can stress the heart even for non-cardiac procedures.

Question 2

Who needs cardiac clearance?

Accepted Answer

Children with a known heart condition, a connective tissue disease, an abnormal ECG, a new murmur, or another concern discovered during pre-operative screening, among other reasons.

Question 3

How quickly can clearance be done?

Accepted Answer

Because most of the full cardiac evaluation including ECG and echocardiogram can be done during the visit, clearance can usually be completed in a single appointment, with written documentation sent to your child's surgical team promptly.

Question 4

What if surgery is scheduled soon?

Accepted Answer

I understand that surgery dates are time-sensitive, and I want to help prevent delays. Please self-schedule using the online booking system, which shows real-time availability. If you don't see an appointment within your required timeframe, contact me directly and I will do my best to arrange an expedited evaluation. Because I can perform most of the testing myself in one visit, I can often turn clearance around promptly.

Question 5

Do you send documentation to my child's surgeon and anesthesiologist?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I provide written clearance documentation and communicate directly with your child's surgical and anesthesia team.

Question 6

Do I need a referral?

Accepted Answer

No. You can schedule directly with me through the patient portal on my website.

Question 7

Which procedures or surgeries need cardiac clearance?

Accepted Answer

It depends on whether your child has a known heart condition; clearance may be needed even for routine procedures. If you are unsure whether your child requires clearance, please reach out and I can help you determine this.

Question 8

What information does the doctor need from me prior to cardiac clearance for surgery?

Accepted Answer

Please upload the following to the portal at least 2 business days in advance: the surgical date, the surgeon's pre-operative visit note and their contact information, your child's most recent pediatrician's note (including complete past medical, surgical, and family history, including current medications), any recent specialist's notes (including cardiology), imaging reports (including echocardiogram, cardiac CT, and/or cardiac MRI), ECG, and prior surgical (operative) notes. This helps me give your child's visit my full attention and prepare a thoughtful assessment. That said, I often review faster than that. For urgent appointments, I will review what I can with the time available, and we can proceed with either a complete or preliminary review depending on your timeline.

Pediatric Cardiac Clearance Before Surgery

How the Evaluation Works

Expedited Evaluation for Urgent Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

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