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• Pre-Operative Instructions
• Getting Ready for Surgery
  • The Day Before Surgery
  • The Night Before Surgery
  • The Day of Surgery
  • Medications
  • When to Call Your Doctor
• What to Expect After Surgery

Medications

Only Take Medications as Instructed by Cardiac Surgery

Please take only the medications you were instructed to with a very small sip of water, in the morning prior to your surgery.  You should have been given instructions as to which medications to take just before surgery.  If not, please call the cardiac surgery office.

Aspirin and Beta-Blockers

Please take your aspirin and beta-blocker if you have been prescribed one. Beta-blockers include medications such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol, metoprolol (Toprol, Lopressor), nadolol.

Diuretics

Do not take any diuretics. Diuretics include medications such as Lasix (Furosemide) and hydrochlorothiazide, and are also in combination medicines like Quinapril-HCT.

ACE-Inhibitors

Do not take any ACE-Inhibitors. ACE-Inhibitors include medications such as lisinopril, captopril and enalapril and are also in combination medicines like Captopril-HCT.

Coumadin and Plavix

If you take coumadin or plavix, you should have received instructions as to if and when to stop these medications. If you didn't please call.

Diabetics

Please pay special attention to the following medication instructions if you are diabetic.

• If you take oral agents (pills for diabetes), DO NOT take them the day of surgery.
  
• If you take Metformin, stop it 2 days prior to surgery.
  
• If you take NPH insulin, take ½ of your normal dose the morning of surgery.
  
• If you take Lantus/Glargine insulin, take your normal dose up until the time of surgery.
  
• If on an insulin pump, do not change the basal rate.