Patient Information

Please inform the staff attending to you if you are:

• Diabetic and are taking the medicine called METFORMIN (Glucophage).
  - You should discontinue the drug for 2 days AFTER the scan.
  - (The use of iodine-based contrast media may result in transient impairment of renal function and this may precipitate
    lactic acidosis in diabetics who are taking METFORMIN).
  - If you are on diabetic medicine OTHER than Metformin, you will be advised to omit the anti-diabetic drug on the day of the examination.
    This is because you need to fast for 4 hours prior to your scan.
• Asthmatic (or have a history of asthma) or have more than 2 drug allergies.
  - Steroid tablets may be prescribed to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction occurring.
    Take one tablet on the evening before the scan and the second tablet on the morning of the scan.
• For females: if you are pregnant or likely to be pregnant.

 

 

Please bring along all previous X-rays, ultrasound, MRI films and CT films that you may have

 

Preparation:

• Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, green tea etc…) 24 hours before the procedure.
• Please fast for 4 hours before the scan. You may continue to take all prescribed medications (Diabetics please refer to note 1a).
• Unless you are only having a calcium score scan, we have to give you an injection of contrast (dye) for this examination. The nurse will insert a cannula into your veins for this purpose.

About the procedure:

• Upon arrival, your heart rate will be monitored before your scan. To receive the lowest possible radiation dose from the scan, we require your heart rate to be under 65 beats per minute. If your heart rate is above 65 beats per minute, a beta-blocker (Metoprolol) tablet will be given. This medicine requires at least half to an hour to take effect.
• When you are inside the scan room, electrodes will be attached to your chest to monitor your heart rate. A nitrate drug will be sprayed under the tongue to dilate the coronary arteries for better image quality.
• During scanning, you will be instructed to hold your breath every now and then, usually no more than 5 seconds each time. Please try your best to follow these instructions and keep still during these periods.
• Occasionally, some patients may suffer an allergic reaction to the contrast injection. This may require a period of treatment with medication or observation by the nurse and/or doctor in the department. Another uncommon complication is leakage of the contrast injection under the skin of the arm or hand where the injection cannula is inserted. This is usually treated by a compression bandage. Rarely, either of these complications may require hospital admission and treatment.