Preparation and procedures for angiogram:

• Prior to your procedure, tests may be scheduled such as routine bloodwork, electrocardiogram (ECG), and chest x-ray. These will be scheduled as a separate appointment.
  
• You can wear whatever you like to the hospital. You will wear a hospital gown during the procedure.
  
• Your doctor will give you specific instructions about what you can and cannot eat or drink before the procedure
  
• If you have diabetes, ask your physician how to adjust your medications the day of your test.
  
• Ask your doctor what medications should be taken on the day of your test. You may be told to stop certain medications.
  
• Before doing this tell your doctor, if you are allergic to anything, especially iodine, x-ray dye, penicillin-type medications, rubber products.
  
• Bring a list of your medications (including over-the-counter) and dosages. When you arrive for your appointment, please tell your nurse if you are taking Coumadin.
  
• You will lie on a special table. If you look above, you will see a large camera and several TV monitors. You can watch your cardiac cath on the monitors.
  
• The nurse will clean your skin at the site where the catheter (narrow plastic tube) will be inserted (arm or groin).
  
• Sterile drapes are used to cover the site and help prevent infection. It is important that you keep your arms and hands down at your sides, under the sterile drapes.
  
• Electrodes (small, flat, sticky patches) will be placed on your chest. The electrodes are attached to an electrocardiograph monitor (ECG), which monitors your heart rate and rhythm.
  
• You will be given a mild sedative to relax you, but you will be awake and conscious during the entire procedure.
  
• In some cases, a urinary catheter may be needed during the procedure.
  
• When the catheter is in place, the lights will be dimmed and a small amount of contrast material will be injected through the catheters into your arteries and heart chambers.
  
• When the contrast material is injected into your heart, you may feel hot or flushed for several seconds. This is normal and will go away in a few seconds.
  
• You can tell doctor or nuse, if you feel any other symptoms like chest discomfort, nausea, itching, tightness in the throat.
  
• The x-ray camera will be used to take photographs of the arteries and heart chambers. You will be asked to hold your breath while the x-rays are taken. When all the photos have been taken, the catheter will be removed and the lights will be turned on.
  
• A sterile dressing will be placed on the groin area to protect it from infection. You will need to lie flat and keep the leg straight for two to six hours to prevent bleeding (less time if a plug was used). Do not try to sit or stand before six hours.
  
• You will need to drink plenty of liquids to clear the contrast material from your body. You may feel the need to urinate more frequently and this is normal.
  
• The cardiac cath procedure only takes about 30 minutes, but plan to spend about 5 to 9 hours from the preparation through the recovery time.