Heart Surgery Education

Pre-Operative Tests:

Before surgery your physician may order certain tests to assess your overall health. Not every test is needed for each patient.

• Chest X-Ray - Gives your surgeon information about your heart and lungs
• Lab Work - Checks for kidney problems, blood sugar levels, and the ability of your blood to clot
• Blood Pressure
• EKG - Shows your heart rhythm
• Urine Sample - Checks for bacteria
• Weight - Used to determine medication doses during and after surgery
• Carotid Artery Ultrasound - Uses ultrasound to assess blood vessels in your neck for blockages
• Pulmonary Function Tests - Evaluates your lung function
• CT scan or MRI - Can detect past strokes
• Echocardiogram - Uses ultrasound to check heart wall motion and valve function