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Tests needed before the procedure
Once your doctor determines that you need a cardiac cath, you need to have the following tests completed within a two week time period before your procedure date:
• A history and physical examination by a cardiologist or vascular surgeon (or, in some cases, lung specialist or heart surgeon)
• Blood tests
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
Preparing at home (outpatient)
If you are scheduled to be admitted on the day of your procedure, follow these specific instructions to prepare:
• Stop taking Coumadin (warfarin) at least 3 days before your procedure date, or according to your doctor’s instructions. In some cases, your doctor may instruct you to receive blood thinner injections into your skin.
• Continue to take your prescribed medications unless your cardiologist has told you not to. Check to see if you should take your diuretic, insulin or oral diabetes medications on the day of the procedure.
• Let your cardiologist know if you have an allergy to X-ray dye. In that case, you may need to take allergy medications before the procedure.
• Do not eat any food after midnight the night before your procedure.
• You may drink clear liquids up until two hours before you arrive at the hospital the morning of your procedure. (Black coffee and tea are fine. Do not add cream or milk.)
• You may have sips of water with your medications the morning of your procedure.
A nurse from the cath lab will call you the afternoon before your procedure. If your procedure is scheduled for a Monday, the nurse will call on Friday. He/she will give you any additional instructions and let you know when to arrive in the cath lab. Please use this opportunity to address any questions or concerns about your procedure.
For your same-day admission, please come to the cath lab, located on the 9th floor of the Blake building, at your designated arrival time. This will be approximately one hour before your procedure time. A family member or friend may accompany you. Sometimes there can be an unexpected delay in your procedure start time due to an emergency or lengthy case. We appreciate your patience and understanding should this occur.
What to bring
• A 24-hour supply of your current medications and a medication list complete with medication names, dosages and the usual time of day you take each medication.
• You are welcome to bring a toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving items, deodorant, lotions or hair care products, but it is not necessary as these items will be provided for you.
• Please do not bring any valuables or jewelry.
• Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
• You may want to bring a book to help pass the time in case of delays.
When you arrive at the Knight Center for Intervention Cardiovascular Therapy, a receptionist will greet you and notify the team that you have arrived. As your procedure time nears, a nurse will bring you into the pre-procedure holding area and will ask you to put on a hospital gown.