Preparation Timeline

Patients With Heart Disease & Patients Taking Blood Thinners

Important Note: If you have had coronary artery stenting within the last 12 months your medications must not be stopped and you must discuss this with your GP and or Cardiologist.

7 Days to Procedure

  • Stop Iron Tablets

6 Days to Procedure

  • If taking Warfarin [Marevan, Coumadin], special arrangements must be made with your GP as an alternate blood thinner may be required if warfarin is to be stopped

  • If taking Clopidogrel [Plavix, Iscover, Clovix, Piax], stop taking these medications

5 Days to Procedure

  • Proceed as normal

4 Days to Procedure

  • Proceed as normal

3 Days to Procedure

  • Proceed as normal

2 Days to Procedure

  • Take last dose of anticoagulants

  • If taking Prasugrel [Effient], Pradaxa [Dabigatran], Apixaban [Eliquis], Rivaroxaban [Xarelto], or Ticagrelor [Brilinta], stop taking these medications

  • No nuts or seeds and take a low residue diet ie no fruit or fibrous vegetables

1 Day to Procedure

  • Clear fluids and Bowel Prep

  • Take half a soluble Asprin

  • Whole day of clear fluids

Day of Procedure

  • Take Bowel Prep in the morning

 The above is a simplified outline for a better understanding of the preparation. Follow this link for the detailed instructions you will need for optimal preparation