Are you awake during cardioversion?
Because the shock would be painful for a patient who is awake, an intravenous medication is given to sedate the patient. Patients are asleep during the cardioversion and most do not remember the procedure.
How is a cardioversion performed?
Cardioversion is a medical procedure that restores a normal heart rhythm in people with certain types of abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias). Cardioversion is usually done by sending electric shocks to your heart through electrodes placed on your chest. It’s also possible to do cardioversion with medications.
How long does cardioversion procedure take?
Cardioversion itself takes about 5 minutes. But the whole procedure, including recovery, will probably take 30 to 45 minutes. You may take an anticoagulant medicine before and after cardioversion.
Can cardioversion damage your heart?
It might not work: Cardioversion doesn’t always fix a fast or irregular heartbeat. You may need medicine or a pacemaker to control things. It might make things worse: It’s unlikely, but there’s a small chance that cardioversion could damage your heart or lead to more arrhythmias.
Why is a tee done before cardioversion?
The goal is to restore your heart to a normal rhythm. test checks for blood clots in the heart that can sometimes form because of an arrhythmia. If the TEE finds clots, the clots would need to be treated before having the cardioversion.
What happens if cardioversion fails?
If external cardioversion fails, then internal cardioversion may be done and involves delivering the jolt of energy through catheters inside the heart. Once you wake up following the electrical cardioversion, you can go home, but will need to have someone drive you.
Does shocking the heart weaken it?
When is cardioversion not recommended?
Your healthcare provider may not want you to have cardioversion if you have minor symptoms. It also may not be recommended if you are elderly, if you have had AFib a long time, or if you have other major medical problems. Other treatments might be better for you, like heart rate control with medicines.
How successful is cardioversion?
Success Rates for Electrical Cardioversion. Various studies have reported that electrical cardioversion is over 90 percent effective in converting to a normal sinus rhythm though many people revert back into afib shortly thereafter.
What to expect after cardioversion?
After cardioversion, you may have redness, like a sunburn, where the patches were. The medicines you got to make you sleepy may make you feel drowsy for the rest of the day. Your doctor may have you take medicines to help the heart beat normally and to prevent blood clots.
What happens If cardioversion doesn’t work?
If cardioversion doesn’t work, or if you heart doesn’t stay in the normal rhythm, medications can be used to control symptoms and prevent complications arising from atrial fibrillation. Many of the symptoms of atrial fibrillation arise from the heart beating too fast.
What is cardioversion used for?
Cardioversion is a treatment for heart rhythms that are abnormal (arrhythmia). During cardioversion, a special machine is used to send electrical energy to the heart muscle to restore normal rhythm.
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