Pre-Procedure Instructions
- Prior to the radioembolization procedure we will be starting you on some medications, including a Medrol dosage pack and Omeprazole 3 days prior to the procedure.
- In order to provide you with sedation during the procedure, you must have nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to the procedure. This typically means nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the procedure. You can have clear liquids up to 2 hours before the procedure.
- You can take any prescribed medications with small sips of water the morning of the procedure.
- If you are taking blood thinners, please let our physicians or nurse practitioners know so we can provide you with instructions as to when to stop that medication prior to the procedure.
Post-Procedure Instructions
- You can resume your regular diet when you leave the hospital. We do encourage our patients to drink plenty of fluids following the procedure.
- You may restart all of your medications following the procedure.
- You may remove the Band-Aid from the groin and show after 24 hours.
- We recommend that you rest for the first 48 hours after the procedure. After that, your activity is not restricted.
- Many patients do not have any post-procedure symptoms. Some will experience some vague discomfort and changes in appetite for the first few days after the procedure. Others may experience a post-embolization syndrome consisting of nausea, vomiting, fever, and fatigue. If it occurs, it usually lasts for 5-7 days. We will provide you with the medications you need to be comfortable during that time. You should not drive if you are taking prescription pain medication.
- Call our office (518-262-5149) during business hours or call the page operator at Albany Medical Center (518-262-3125) and ask to speak with the Interventional Radiologist on call if you experience any of the following:
- Fever greater than 102.5 or fever associated with sweating and chills
- Bruising in the groin that expands over time
- Increasing jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes)
- Persistent nausea and vomiting
- It is important to remember that the microspheres we administer into the arteries supplying the liver are radioactive. It takes time for this radiation to diminish. This means that for at least 3 days, people around you may be exposed to low amounts of radiation from your body. As a result, we recommend the following:
- No visitors who are children or who are pregnant for 2 weeks.
- No physical contact with others for more than 2 hours for 3 days. It is recommended that you maintain normal conversational distance (at least 3 feet) with your visitors during that time.
- Sleep in bed alone for 3 days.
- Do not allow children or pets to sit on your lap for 2 weeks.
- Use condoms for sexual relations for 1 week.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet. There is no need to make special arrangements for the removal of body fluids such as urine, stool, blood, or vomit.
- In the event of a medical emergency or death, the attending medical staff or funeral director should be made aware of the date and type of radioactive material used.