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 three 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 your doctor who manages your diabetes. The contrast given during the procedure may affect the way Metformin works. You may not take Metformin for at least 48 hours after the procedure. 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 exam, do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
On the day of the treatment, 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.
