Preparing for Your CT Scan

Please follow these instructions to help ensure that you have an exam with optimal image quality:

• Wear loose fitting and comfortable clothing without metal buttons or decorations.
• No caffeine products for 12 hours prior to the exam.
• No vigorous exercise for 4 hours prior to the exam.
• No need to fast but eat lightly in the 4 hours before the exam.
• Empty your bladder – restrooms are located behind the first-floor elevator. Ask us for the key when you check-in.
• Don’t be late! Traffic is getting worse so plan accordingly.
• If medical testing makes you anxious, please have someone drive you. Relaxation apps and listening to mellow music are helpful.
• Please bring a water bottle to hydrate after the exam.

To ensure safety, please let us know if any of the following are possibly true. You may have already answered these questions, but double checking is always good for safety:

• Have you had a bad reaction to iodine-based contrast? If so, you may need pretreatment with steroids.
• If you have any of the following, you need a blood test to measure kidney function prior to the exam:
  • Any History of Any Kidney Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Use of a medication named Metformin. Don’t take Metformin for 48 hours after a CT exam with iodine contrast.
• We don’t scan pregnant women. If you could possibly be pregnant, let us know.
• If you take ED meds
  • No Viagra 24 hours prior to the exam
  • No Cialis or Levitra for 48 hours prior to the exam
• If you cannot take a beta-blocker, let us know in advance.
• If you have a pacemaker and your heart rate is never below 70 beats per minute, we may need to have your pacemaker adjusted at the time of the scan.

Performance of a CT Coronary Angiogram requires:

• Placement of a small IV catheter in the arm though which we will carefully inject iodine based contrast.
• Medication to slow the heart to 60-65 beats per minute. This is typically done with beta-blockers given by mouth 30-45 minutes prior the scan and sometimes through the IV . Your vital signs will be measured after you sit for a few minutes to determine the need for heart rate slowing medication.
• Medication to relax the arteries called nitroglycerin given under your tongue about 3 minutes before the scan. It will tingle under your tongue and may lower your blood pressure for a few minutes.
• Hanging out for 20 minutes after the scan. Although reactions that require treatment are not common, they usually occur within 20 minutes of receiving contrast.

Finally, bring a photo ID and your insurance information to the exam.

Oh, and one more thing, thank you for letting us serve you!