Cheltenham general hospital

If you have any queries or are unable to attend, please telephone us as soon as possible on 01792 703393 so we can offer your appointment to another
patient. We will arrange another appointment for you as soon as possible. Our latest technology allows CT scanning of the heart involving high speed,
very high detail X-Ray images. To achieve the best possible quality images, it
is important that you adhere to the following preparation instructions:
Please allow yourself plenty of time to arrive at the scanning
department; it may be wise for someone to bring you to the hospital so
you may be dropped at the entrance in case car parking proves difficult.
Patient preparation:
Continue to take all your medication as normal with the exception of the
diabetic medication mentioned on the appointment leaflet.
If you normally take Beta blockers e.g Bisoprolol, Atenolol, Metoprolol)
or other drugs that slow your heart rate (e.g Verapamil, Diltiazem,
Ivabradine) it is especially important to take these as normal on the
morning of your scan

For 48 hours prior to your appointment time:
1. Do not take Sildenafil (Viagra) or Cialis (Tadalafil)
For 24 hours prior to your appointment time:
1. Do not consume anything containing caffeine (this includes all foods
containing chocolate and all tea, coffee, cola and energy drinks,
including decaffeinated products).
2. Please check all medication for caffeine; especially cough remedies Patient preparation continued:
For 4 hours prior to your appointment time:
1. Do not smoke
2. Do not eat
3. Drink only water
4. Do not do any vigorous exercise

This will help stabilise your heart rate and produce the best quality images.
You may be in the department for up to an hour.
On arrival in the department your details will be checked, the procedure will
be explained to you and you will be weighed. We will ask about any allergies
you may have and any medication you are taking.
You will be asked to undress from the waist up and put on an examination
gown.
A cannula (a small plastic tube) will need to be inserted into a vein in your arm
as the scan will involve an intravenous injection of a contrast agent and a drug
to steady your heart rate.
Once you are lying on the scanning couch we will need to place ECG
electrodes on your chest so we can see your heart rhythm.
The scan involves holding your breath several times for approximately
10 seconds. It may be useful if you can practice this at home.
During the scan you will have an injection of contrast agent. You may
experience a sensation of heat in the abdomen and groin. This is normal and
will pass very quickly.
Once the scan has finished we will ask you to get dressed and then wait for
20 minutes. We will then remove the cannula from your arm. You may leave
the department although we would ask you to stay in the hospital for an hour.
If you have any further queries, please contact us on 01792 703393.
Thank you for your cooperation.
MORRISTON HOSPITAL
DEPARTMENT OF RADIOLOGY
CT SCANNING OF THE HEART
Dear Patient, Prior to the CT Scan, we will need to give you some drugs to slightly reduce and/or regulate your heart rate. Please answer the following questions and bring this form with you. Thank you. Patient Name…………………………………………. Date of Birth……………. 1. Do you suffer from asthma, or do you use inhalers? (If yes, please do not take on the day of your scan)

Source: http://www.swansea-tr.wales.nhs.uk/cardiac/Patient%20Information%20Leaflets/Cardiac%20CT%20Prep%20Morriston.pdf