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Preparing in the hospital (inpatient)
For patients already staying in the hospital, a cath lab doctor or physicians assistant will visit you the day before your procedure. The doctor will explain the procedure in detail, including its potential benefits and risks. At this time, you will have an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have, and to sign a consent form. Adjustments may be made to the medications you are taking, and an IV will be inserted in your arm (if you do not already have one). The nurse caring for you will instruct you about any eating and drinking restrictions before the procedure. Typically, you will not be allowed to eat or drink (except for sips of water with your medications) after midnight.
On your scheduled procedure day, the cath lab will place you on call, which means you are ready to go to the cath lab for your procedure. You may receive additional medications before the procedure if you have an allergy to X-ray dye or have kidney problems. You will be brought from your room directly to the pre-procedure holding area of the cath lab.
The Cath Lab team
Attending Physician: This is an experienced cardiologist, vascular medicine specialist or vascular surgeon who will be performing your procedure. The attending physician coordinates the team and plan of care during your stay in the cath lab. This may not be the doctor who ordered the procedure.
Fellow: The fellow is a doctor who is pursuing further training in cardiology, vascular medicine or vascular surgery. He or she will ask you for a brief history and obtain consent prior to your procedure. The fellow is responsible for starting the procedure and assisting the attending physician during the procedure.
Physician’s Assistant (PA): The PA is a health care provider who has been specially trained to assist the attending physician during the catheterization procedure. The role of the PA is similar to that of a fellow.
Nurse: When you arrive to the holding area, the cath lab nurses are responsible for completing an assessment prior to your procedure; They will start an IV if you do not already have one. During the procedure, they will administer medications to make you comfortable and will do frequent assessments to monitor the effectiveness of the medications given.