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Cardiac Catheterization - How To Prepare
About this test
Tell your doctor if you:
- Are allergic to the iodine dye used in the contrast material or any other substance that contains iodine.
- Have asthma or have ever had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) from any substance, such as the venom from a bee sting.
- Are allergic to any medicines and whether you are taking any erection-enhancing medicines, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra). This test may require the use of nitrate medicine, such as nitroglycerin, that can cause severely low blood pressure if you have taken an erection-enhancing medicine within the previous 48 hours.
- Have any bleeding problems or take blood-thinning medicine (anticoagulant).
- Are or might be pregnant.
- Have kidney disease. The contrast material used during cardiac catheterization can cause kidney damage in people who have poor kidney function. If you have a history of kidney problems, blood tests (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen) may be done before and after the test to confirm that your kidneys are functioning properly.
- Have diabetes, especially if you take metformin (Glucophage). Your doctor may instruct you to stop the medicine 48 hours 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 will
mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the
medical test information form 
(What is a PDF document?).
Arrange for someone to take you home after the test. You may not have to stay in the hospital overnight.
Do not eat or drink (except for a small amount of water) for 6 to 12 hours before the test. If you are taking any medicines, ask your doctor whether you should take them on the day of the test.
Before the test, remove any necklaces, bracelets, rings, or other jewelry. You should also remove nail polish from your fingernails and toenails.
Be sure to empty your bladder completely just before the test.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: August 21, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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