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TEST PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

As a service to our patients and colleagues, this site provides instructions on how to prepare for some of the more common cardiac cardiac procedures. After each section is a link to printer friendly patient education handouts on that particular procedure. These handouts are in Adobe PDF formats. The Adobe PDF reader can be downloaded for free through links provided below.

       

 

 

ANGIOPLASTY and CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION

  • Do not eat or drink 6 to 8 hours before the test.
  • Patients on medications should ask which drugs they should take prior to the procedure.
  • Admission the night before the test maybe required. Otherwise, the patient is admitted on the morning of the procedure.
  • The procedure and its risks should be explained.
  • Tell the doctor or nurse what medications the patient is taking, what medications the patient is allergic to, whether the patient is allergic to seafood, if the patient has had a bad reaction to contrast material in the past or if the patient might be pregnant.
  • A witnessed, signed consent for the procedure is required.
  • The patient should have someone to drive him or her home.

              Print a Handout

CARDIOVERSION

  • Do not eat or drink 6 to 8 hours before the test.
  • If possible, shower the evening prior to the procedure.
  • If you are on medications, ask your doctor which drugs you should take prior to the procedure.
  • In most cases the patient is admitted on the morning of the procedure.
  • The procedure and its risks should be explained.
  • Tell the doctor or nurse what medications the patient is taking, what medications the patient is allergic to.
  • A witnessed, signed consent for the procedure is required.
  • The patient should have someone to drive him or her home.

              Print a Handout

DOBUTAMINE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

  • Do not eat or drink for at least 4 hours before the test.
  • Avoid alcohol, tobacco, caffeinated beverages, and nonprescription medicines for at least 24 hours before the test.
  • Drugs for erectile dysfunction such as Viagra must be stopped within the previous 48 hours.
  • Ask your doctor whether you need to stop taking any of your other medicines before the test.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and loose shorts or pants suitable for exercise.
  • Remove all jewelry before the test.
  • Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results may indicate.
  • Inform the doctor, nurse or sonographer if you are allergic to any medicines or anesthetics.
  • Inform the doctor, nurse or sonographer if you are or might be pregnant.
  • Inform the doctor, nurse or sonographer of any joint problems that may limit your ability to exercise.

 

         Print a Handout  

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIC  STUDY (EPS)

  • Do not eat or drink 6 to 8 hours before the test.
  • If possible, shower the evening prior to the procedure.
  • If you are on medications, ask your doctor which drugs you should take prior to the procedure.
  • In most cases the patient is admitted on the morning of the procedure.
  • The procedure and its risks should be explained.
  • Tell the doctor or nurse what medications the patient is taking, what medications the patient is allergic to.
  • Inform the doctor or nurse if you might be pregnant.
  • A witnessed, signed consent for the procedure is required.
  • The patient should have someone to drive him or her home.

              Print a Handout

PHARMACOLOGIC STRESS TESTING (with Persantine or Adenosine)

  • Do not eat or drink for at least 4 hours before a stress test.

  • Avoid alcohol, tobacco, caffeinated beverages, and nonprescription medicines for at least 24 hours before the test.

  • Drugs for erectile dysfunction such as Viagra must be stopped within the previous 48 hours.

  • Ask your doctor whether you need to stop taking any of your other medicines before the test.

  • Wear comfortable shoes and loose shorts or pants suitable for exercise.

  • Remove all jewelry before the test.

  • Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results may indicate.

  • Inform the doctor, nurse or technician if you are allergic to any medicines or anesthetics.

  • Inform the doctor, nurse or technician if you are or might be pregnant.

  • Inform the doctor, nurse or technician if you are breast-feeding. Use formula and throw out your breast milk for 1 to 2 days after the scan.

  • Inform the doctor, nurse or technician of any joint problems that may limit your ability to exercise.

              Print a Handout

STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAM

  • Do not eat or drink for at least 4 hours before stress echocardiography.
  • Avoid alcohol, tobacco, caffeinated beverages, and nonprescription medicines for at least 24 hours before the test.
  • Drugs for erectile dysfunction such as Viagra must be stopped within the previous 48 hours.
  • Ask your doctor whether you need to stop taking any of your other medicines before the test.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and loose shorts or pants suitable for exercise.
  • Remove all jewelry before the test.
  • Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results may indicate.
  • Inform the doctor, nurse or sonographer if you are allergic to any medicines or anesthetics.
  • Inform the doctor, nurse or sonographer if you are or might be pregnant.
  • Inform the doctor, nurse or sonographer of any joint problems that may limit your ability to exercise.

              Print a Handout

STRESS TESTING

  • Do not eat or drink for at least 4 hours before a stress test.

  • Avoid alcohol, tobacco, caffeinated beverages, and nonprescription medicines for at least 24 hours before the test.

  • Drugs for erectile dysfunction such as Viagra must be stopped within the previous 48 hours.

  • Ask your doctor whether you need to stop taking any of your other medicines before the test.

  • Wear comfortable shoes and loose shorts or pants suitable for exercise.

  • Remove all jewelry before the test.

  • Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results may indicate.

  • Inform the doctor, nurse or technician if you are allergic to any medicines or anesthetics.

  • Inform the doctor, nurse or technician if you are or might be pregnant.

  • Inform the doctor, nurse or technician if you are breast-feeding. Use formula and throw out your breast milk for 1 to 2 days after the scan.

  • Inform the doctor, nurse or technician of any joint problems that may limit your ability to exercise.

              Print a Handout

TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY (TEE)

  • Because you may receive sedation, have someone available to drive you home after the procedure.

  • Do not eat or drink at least 4 hours prior to the procedure.

  • Tell your doctor of any allergies as well as what medications you are taking.

  • Tell your doctor of any history of bleeding problems, history of gastric ulcers, difficulty swallowing or previous esophageal or stomach surgery.

              Print a Handout
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