The cardiac cath lab nurse
will contact you several days before the exam. The nurse will answer
your questions and review pre-cath guidelines. Please tell the nurse
about any allergies or if you have ever had an unusual reaction to
iodine or a test using contrast media (dye).
Stop taking
Coumadin,® at least 3 days before the procedure. If you are not taking
aspirin, you will be asked to start taking a soluble aspirin (325 mg
daily) before the procedure.
If you are a diabetic taking Metformin
(Glucophage, ® Glucophage XR,® Glucovance®), talk with the doctor who
manages your diabetes. The contrast given during the treatment may
affect the way Metformin works. You may not take Metformin for at least
48 hours after the treatment. Contact your doctor to develop a
short-term plan for controlling your blood sugar (diet, other medicines
or checking blood sugar levels).
The night before the procedure, do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
On
the day of the procedure, take only the medicine the nurse has
instructed you to take. Medicine should be taken with small sips of
water.
Do not take Metformin (Glucophage,® Glucophage XR,® Glucovance®) on the morning of your treatment.
