Preparing for Your Procedure: Today’s Visit and Scheduling
Please read through this information to help you prepare for your cardiac catheterization or vascular procedure. You will get more detailed information after you schedule your procedure. If you have any questions, please be sure to ask your doctor or nurse. Thank you!
Information to share with your doctor today
Allergies
Tell your doctor about all allergies you have. It is very important to let your doctor know if you are allergic to IVP dye, iodine or shellfish. IVP dye will be used during your procedure. You may need to take a steroid medication beforehand to prevent problems. Your doctor may also have you use hydrocortisone or Benadryl. Please take all medications as your doctor tells you to. Otherwise, your procedure may need to be rescheduled.
Medications
Tell your doctor about all the medications you take. Some common medications and directions for taking them are listed here. Please make sure you understand the directions for taking your medications before your procedure.
If you have an LVAD, please talk to a member of your heart failure or transplant team about how to adjust your medications before your procedure.
- Anticoagulants (“blood thinners”): Stop taking Coumadin or other anticoagulants three (3) days before your procedure. If you take Coumadin, you will have an INR test the day of the procedure to make sure it is safe for you to have the procedure.
- Aspirin/Plavix: It is okay to take aspirin and Plavix as usual unless your doctor gives you other instructions. If you are allergic to aspirin, make sure you let your doctor know.
- Diabetes Medications: You can take insulin as directed. Do not take oral medication (pills) for diabetes the day of your procedure. If you have an insulin pump, make sure you tell the nurse who helps you get ready on the day of your procedure.
- Diuretics (“water pills”): Do not take diuretics the day of your procedure unless your doctor tells you to.
Bleeding*
Be sure to tell your doctor today if you have ever had internal bleeding.
Scheduled surgery*
Please tell your doctor today if you have surgery scheduled in the next 6 months.
*Prior internal bleeding and scheduled surgery may affect your doctor’s treatment decisions.
Hydration
Talk to your doctor today about staying hydrated before your procedure. You may need to have more fluids than normal before you have your procedure.
Ask your doctor about pre-procedure testing
Check with your doctor today to see if you need any more testing before your procedure. These include blood work, an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) and a chest X-ray. If you had any of these tests done outside of Cleveland Clinic, make sure the results are in your chart. All pre-procedure testing needs to be done within 30 days before the procedure.
Catheterization scheduling
Important: Your procedure will be cancelled if you do not have a responsible adult with you to drive you home.
Plan on spending the entire day of your procedure at Cleveland Clinic. Your doctor may talk to you about going home the day of your procedure. But, you may to spend the night in the hospital.
Getting your arrival time
Please make sure you get a copy of the green handout that has directions on how to get your arrival time. The sheet also has other important information about how to prepare for your procedure. If you do not get a copy, ask at the desk. Please read the entire handout and let us know if you have any questions.
Cancelling a scheduled procedure
It is possible that your doctor may tell you after today’s visit that you do not need to have a procedure, even if you already have one scheduled.
If you need to cancel a procedure today:
- Ask the person at the front desk to let the Scheduling Nurse know you need to cancel (ext. 56732 or pager 22570).
If you need to cancel a procedure due to illness or weather conditions on the day of your scheduled procedure, call 216.444.6682 or 800.223.2273, ext. 46682. The desk is staffed after 5:30 a.m.
Other information
Personal needs
If you have concerns about transportation, childcare, or anything else that might affect your arrival time, please talk to the Scheduling Nurse today. You can ask at the front desk to be connected to extension 56732 or Pager 22570.
