PRE-PROCEDURE DO’S AND DONT’S

Here is a list of things to do and not to do before your EP procedure. These are general instructions applicable to most cases, but you will receive specific instructions from our office, and from the hospital staff.

Pre-Procedure Do’s:

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You must do the pre-procedure blood draw testing required by the hospital. You will receive instructions about this.

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Take your medicines as usual, unless our office tells you otherwise. However, you may be asked to stop certain medications, such as:

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Stopping heart rhythm medications 24-48 hours prior to the procedure

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Stopping some or all of your blood pressure medications the morning of the procedure

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For diabetic patients, not taking oral diabetes medication the morning of the procedure, and taking ½ of your usual insulin dose the morning of the procedure.

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Please review with the office your medication list to make sure we know about all of your medications.

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If you are on anticoagulant blood thinners (coumadin, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa) ask the office for specific instructions about whether or not to take these medications, and when to stop them.

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Similarly, if you are on anti-platelet drugs (aspirin, Plavix, clopidogrel, etc.) you should ask for instructions about if and when to stop them.

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Bring your medicines with you to the hospital.

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Eat a regular supper the evening before your procedure, but then nothing to eat or drink after midnight. Medications can be taken with a small sip of water.

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Arrive to the hospital at the prescribed time. Note that the hospital will require that you arrive at least an hour (preferably 90 minutes) prior to your anticipated procedure time. Please also note that the lab schedule in the hospital is fluid, and can change in case of emergencies or if earlier procedures take longer than anticipated. Your procedure time is only an estimate—please be patient.

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If you have a pacemaker or an ICD, bring your device information with you to the procedure so that we can interface with the correct people prior to your procedure.

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If you have any remaining questions about the procedure, including risks / benefits or alternatives, please ask these questions before the day of your procedure, so that you will have enough time to absorb and process the answers. You may also request an office visit with the physician to discuss any remaining questions you have.

Pre-Procedure Dont’s:

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Make sure you don’t eat or drink anything after midnight, the night before your test. It is important that your stomach be empty for the procedure. Take your pills with only enough water to swallow them.

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Please do not bring large sums of money or valuables to the hospital unless family or friends coming with you will hold them during the procedure.

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Don’t drive yourself home after the procedure. You will be given sedation, and therefore cannot drive until the next day. You will need to have a family member drive you home, or arrange other transportation.

For Patient Scheduled for Device Pacemaker or ICD Implants

The same instructions for EP procedures above also apply to device implantation. However, there are a few additional considerations for device implant patients:

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Inform the doctor if you are a renal failure patient on hemodialysis, and what your dialysis schedule is.

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Inform the doctor if you have had breast surgery in the past, and on which side the surgery was.

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Inform the doctor if you currently have or previously had long-term indwelling venous access catheters in the upper body (e.g. porta-cath or Hickman catheters, PICC lines).

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Be sure you understand from the office what your instructions are with respect to any blood thinners you are taking.