PHONE (602) 698-5820

20199 N. 67TH AVE · GLENDALE, AZ 85308

EP study

Discharge instructions

Follow up

You will need a follow-up appointment with us 1–2 weeks after your procedure. Please call (602) 698-5820 to schedule it if one was not made for you at discharge. The visit is a reassessment of your symptoms and of the electrical activity in your heart, with an EKG and cardiac monitoring.

What to expect at home

• Bruising of the trunk, groin and leg around the puncture site is normal and should resolve in a few days.
• You will go home with a bandage over the area, which can usually be removed the day after the procedure.
• Shower as usual once the bandage is off. Wash the area gently with soap and water, but do not scrub the puncture site.
• If you stopped any medications before the procedure, resume them unless your physician told you otherwise at discharge.
• Do not lift more than 10 lbs. for 5 days.
• You may resume normal activity after 1–2 days, but avoid strenuous activity such as exercise for 1 week.
• No tub baths, hot tubs or swimming for 7 days.
• Ask your physician when it is appropriate for you to return to work.

Call us if you have

• Significant redness, heat, swelling, drainage or severe pain at the puncture site. If bleeding occurs, hold firm pressure on the site with gauze or a bandage; if it continues past 10 minutes, call us and seek immediate medical attention.
• A fever of 100°F or higher, which can be an early sign of infection.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, numbness, tingling or double vision.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Significant shortness of breath.

PHONE (602) 698-5820

20199 N. 67TH AVE · GLENDALE, AZ 85308

Ablation

Discharge instructions

Follow up

You will need a follow-up appointment with us 1–2 weeks after your procedure. Please call (602) 698-5820 to schedule it if one was not made for you at discharge. The visit is a reassessment of your symptoms and of the electrical activity in your heart, with an EKG and cardiac monitoring.

What to expect at home

• Bruising of the trunk, groin and leg around the puncture site is normal and should resolve in a few days.
• Palpitations, and mild chest discomfort that is worse when you breathe in, are normal, even after a successful ablation. These should settle over the days to weeks after the procedure.
• You will go home with a bandage over the area, which can usually be removed the day after the procedure.
• Shower as usual once the bandage is off. Wash the area gently with soap and water, but do not scrub the puncture site.
• If you stopped any medications before the procedure, resume them unless your physician told you otherwise at discharge.
• Do not lift more than 10 lbs. for 5 days.
• You may resume normal activity after 1–2 days, but avoid strenuous activity such as exercise for 1 week.
• No tub baths, hot tubs or swimming for 7 days.
• Ask your physician when it is appropriate for you to return to work.

Call us if you have

• Significant redness, heat, swelling, drainage or severe pain at the puncture site. If bleeding occurs, hold firm pressure on the site with gauze or a bandage; if it continues past 10 minutes, call us and seek immediate medical attention.
• A fever of 100°F or higher, which can be an early sign of infection.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, numbness, tingling or double vision.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Significant shortness of breath.

PHONE (602) 698-5820

20199 N. 67TH AVE · GLENDALE, AZ 85308

Pacemaker, defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization (CRT)

Discharge instructions

These instructions cover a pacemaker, a defibrillator (ICD) or a cardiac resynchronization device. Sections that apply only to a defibrillator say so.

Wound care

• Keep the area where the device was placed clean and dry.
• Do not get the incision wet for at least 7 days.
• You will have Steri-Strips (small white paper tapes) or surgical glue over the incision, the site must stay dry for 1 week. Wash with a wet towel, or cover the site with a large piece of plastic wrap while you shower and remove the wrap afterward so the site is dry. Leave it uncovered the rest of the time. You can shower normally after 1 week. The Steri-Strips and/or glue will fall off on their own, or we will remove them at your follow-up visit.
• Do not submerge the wound in water for 6 weeks while it heals.

Activity

• Avoid extreme pulling, pushing or lifting for 6 weeks from the date of the procedure, including raising your arm over your head without bending at the elbow.
• No lifting over 10 lbs.
• No golf and no swimming for 6 weeks.
• You will be seen in 1–2 weeks for a wound check. If you do not have that appointment, call (602) 698-5820 to schedule it.

If your device shocks you at home (defibrillators and CRT-D only)

Call us if you have

• Unusual redness or swelling at the site.
• Drainage from the wound.
• A fever over 100.5°F, or chills.

Living with your device

• Avoid arc welding. It can interact with your device; if you have a defibrillator it can cause an inappropriate shock.
• Do not lean over a running car engine with the hood up. The electrical signal can be misread by the device. Simply being next to a running car is fine.
• X-rays and CT scans are fine.
• Ordinary household equipment such as microwaves, TVs, refrigerators, ovens, saws, dryers, washers, electric blankets, computers does not affect your device.
• Cell phones generally do not affect your device; we recommend using the ear opposite the device. Bluetooth is fine.
• Most new pacemakers, ICDs and CRT devices are MRI compatible. If you need an MRI, get clearance from your electrophysiologist before it is ordered.

Traveling with your device

• You received a temporary identification card after your procedure. A permanent card will arrive by mail in about 8 weeks. Keep it with you at all times.
• Tell airport personnel that you have a heart device and show them your ID card; they will wand everything but the device. Airport X-ray will not harm it.

PHONE (602) 698-5820

20199 N. 67TH AVE · GLENDALE, AZ 85308

Generator change

Discharge instructions

Wound care

• Keep the area where the pacemaker was placed clean and dry.
• Do not get the incision wet for at least 7 days.
• You will have Steri-Strips (small white paper tapes) or surgical glue over the incision, the site must stay dry for 1 week. Wash with a wet towel, or cover the site with a large piece of plastic wrap while you shower and remove the wrap afterward so the site is dry. Leave it uncovered the rest of the time. You can shower normally after 1 week. The Steri-Strips and/or glue will fall off on their own, or we will remove them at your follow-up visit.
• Do not submerge the wound in water for 6 weeks while it heals.

Activity

• No swimming for 6 weeks.
• You will be seen in 1–2 weeks for a wound check. If you do not have that appointment, call (602) 698-5820 to schedule it.

Call us if you have

• Unusual redness or swelling at the site.
• Drainage from the wound.
• A fever over 100.5°F, or chills.

Living with your device

• Avoid arc welding. It can interact with your device.
• Do not lean over a running car engine with the hood up. The electrical signal can be misread by the pacemaker.
• X-rays and CT scans are fine.
• Ordinary household equipment such as microwaves, TVs, refrigerators, ovens, saws, dryers, washers, electric blankets, computers does not affect your pacemaker.
• Cell phones generally do not affect your pacemaker; we recommend using the ear opposite the device. Bluetooth is fine.
• Most new pacemakers are MRI compatible. If you need an MRI, get clearance from your electrophysiologist before it is ordered.

Traveling with your device

• You received a temporary identification card after your procedure. A permanent card will arrive by mail in about 8 weeks. Keep it with you at all times.
• Tell airport personnel that you have a pacemaker and show them your ID card; they will wand everything but the device. Airport X-ray will not harm it.

PHONE (602) 698-5820

20199 N. 67TH AVE · GLENDALE, AZ 85308

Implantable loop recorder

Discharge instructions

Wound care

• You can remove the bandage the day after the procedure, after your shower.
• Do not cover the site with any other dressing.
• Keep the area where the loop recorder was placed clean and dry.
• If the incision is closed with a single suture, we will remove it at your 1-week follow-up.
• Do not submerge the wound in water for 2–3 weeks while it heals.
• Some bruising and tenderness at the incision is normal and should resolve within a few days.

Call us if you have

• Unusual redness or swelling at the site.
• Drainage from the wound.
• A fever over 100.5°F, or chills.

Follow up

You will be seen in 1–2 weeks for a wound check. If you do not have that appointment, call (602) 698-5820 to schedule it.

Living with your device

• X-rays, CT scans and MRIs are all fine with a loop recorder.
• Ordinary household equipment such as microwaves, TVs, refrigerators, ovens, saws, dryers, washers, electric blankets, computers does not affect your loop recorder.
• Cell phones generally do not affect your loop recorder.

Traveling with your device

• A permanent identification card will arrive by mail in about 8 weeks. Keep it with you at all times.
• Tell airport personnel that you have a loop recorder and show them your ID card. Airport X-ray will not harm it.

PHONE (602) 698-5820

20199 N. 67TH AVE · GLENDALE, AZ 85308

Transesophageal echo (TEE)

Discharge instructions

Follow up

You will need a follow-up appointment with us 1–2 weeks after your procedure. Please call (602) 698-5820 to schedule it if one was not made for you at discharge. The visit is a reassessment of your symptoms and a discussion of your results.

After your procedure

• Do not drive or return to work for 24 hours. You can resume normal activity after that.
• A sore throat is normal and usually settles in 1–2 days. Drink plenty of water; cough drops help.
• Blood-tinged phlegm or saliva can happen and should clear within 24 hours. If it does not, or the amount of blood is significant, call us.
• No alcohol and no smoking for 24 hours after the procedure.

Call us if you have

• Chills, or a fever of 100°F or higher.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Blood in your phlegm or saliva more than 24 hours after the procedure.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, numbness, tingling or double vision.
• Significant shortness of breath or chest pain.

PHONE (602) 698-5820

20199 N. 67TH AVE · GLENDALE, AZ 85308

Cardioversion

Discharge instructions

Follow up

You will need a follow-up appointment with us 1–2 weeks after your procedure. Please call (602) 698-5820 to schedule it if one was not made for you at discharge. The visit is a reassessment of your symptoms and a discussion of your rhythm since the cardioversion.

After your procedure

• Do not drive or return to work for 24 hours. You can resume normal activity after that.
• Skin irritation on the chest where the pads were placed is common and usually settles within a few days.
• You will be prescribed a blood thinner. Taking it exactly as directed for at least 4 weeks matters: it is what reduces your risk of stroke.
• Resume all of your other medications unless your physician told you otherwise at discharge.
• No alcohol and no smoking for 24 hours after the procedure.
• If a transesophageal echo (TEE) was done at the same time, a sore throat is normal and usually settles in 1–2 days. Drink plenty of water; cough drops help.

Call us if you have

• Chills, or a fever of 100°F or higher.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Blood in your phlegm or saliva more than 24 hours after the procedure.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, numbness, tingling or double vision.
• Significant shortness of breath or chest pain.