Permanent Pacemaker Patients Guidelines

BEFORE SURGERY

Medication: You must not take any drugs containing aspirin or plavix for one week before the surgery. These drugs may cause you to bleed more than normal. If you are on coumadin, aspirin, plavix, please check with your doctor about when you should stop taking these medications.  

The night before surgery: You may not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery. This helps decrease any nausea and vomiting associated with anesthesia.  You may take your normal morning pills with small sips of water. If you are diabetic, check with your doctor about your diabetic medicines.

Testing: You will need a chest X-ray, a urine test, and EKG of your heart and blood tests before surgery.  These tests will be done in the hospital before surgery.                                     

Please bring a list of all the medications you take with the dosage and frequency written down and present it for your visit before surgery.  Please bring the list again the day of surgery and show it to the nurse.

Do not bring valuables, such as jewelry or money, with you to the hospital.

Permission: Your Surgeon and Physician Assistant will explain the surgery and risks to you and ask you to sign a consent form.