To describe reasons for referral, diagnostic procedures, diagnoses and long-term follow-up of first-time referred patients to afast lane outpatient cardiology clinic (FLOCC). Adescriptive report of results obtained in anewly organised outpatient clinic. Data up to final diagnosis were recorded from electronic medical records. Follow-up data were obtained from electronic medical records, contacting patients and/or their general practitioners. During the first 3months of 2007, 419 patients were seen at the FLOCC. Of these patients, 360 were referred by general practitioners, 55by other specialists and four were self-referrals. The largest referral groups were: chest complaints (44%), palpitations (19%) and dyspnoea (12%). In 65% of the 419 patients, cardiovascular disease was ruled out and they were discharged. Of these, 41% of the diagnoses were made on the same day, with afurther 44% after additional investigations, mostly Holter registration. During 10years of follow-up, 49patients died: 17of cardiac, 29of non-cardiac, mainly cancer, and three of unknown causes. Of the initially discharged patients, 35% were referred again after an average of 4years (1,443days), with 47% reporting similar complaints. Of the patients referred to our FLOCC, most had chest pain. In one-third of all patients, cardiac disease was ruled out on the same day. Of all the patients discharged, 85% were diagnosed after basic investigations that could be ordered by ageneral practitioner. Holter registration was the most frequently requested additional investigation. These results support the development of less expensive, easily accessible extramural cardiology clinics.
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