Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Day Before Surgery

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

Consults
An anesthesiologist, who is the doctor that keeps you asleep during the operation, will talk with you.

You will go to the vascular lab. Your leg veins will be marked and your arm pressures may be measured because you are having bypass surgery. A cardiothoracic team member will review the surgical procedure and risks. You will sign your operative consent.

Tests
Workup for surgery will include various blood and urine tests.

A chest x-ray and electrocardiogram (EKG) maybe obtained (if not obtained in the last 3 months).

Treatments / Interventions

• Height and weight
• Your oxygen level and vital signs (blood pressure in both arms, heart rate, breathing rate, temperature) will be checked.
• You will be instructed on how and when to shower with a special soap.

Medications
Your doctor will tell you which medications to take in the morning. At this time you may ask about medications to help you relax/sleep.

Diet
You may eat your normal diet tonight. You may not have anything to eat or drink after midnight.

Activity
You may perform activities as tolerated.

Teaching
You will learn about your surgery by watching video and reading brochures. A nurse will teach you:

• How to use a breathing machine and cough well.

You will be asked:

• To identify an acceptable and unacceptable level of pain on a 0-10 scale.

Title Page