Cardioversion
Cardioversion successfully restores normal heart rhythms in more than 75 percent of people who have the procedure. However, fast or irregular heartbeats can occur again. For this reason, you may need to have more than one cardioversion over time.
- What Is Cardioversion?
- Who Needs Cardioversion?
- What To Expect During Cardioversion
- What Are the Risks of Cardioversion?
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What To Expect During Cardioversion
A nurse or technician will stick soft patches, called electrodes, on your chest and possibly on your back. Some shaving may be needed to get the patches to stick to your skin.
These patches are attached to a cardioversion machine. This machine records your heart's electrical activity. The machine also sends low-energy shocks through the patches to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Your nurse will use a needle to insert an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in your arm. Through this line, the doctor or nurse will give you medicine to make you fall asleep. While you're asleep, a cardiologist (heart specialist) will give one or more low-energy electrical shocks to your heart. You won't feel any pain from the shocks because of the medicine used to make you sleep.
Your heart rhythm and blood pressure will be closely watched during the procedure for any signs of complications.
The illustration shows a typical setup for a nonemergency cardioversion. Figure A shows an irregular heart rhythm recording (before the cardioversion). Figure B shows a normal heart rhythm recording (after the cardioversion). Figure C shows the patient lying in bed with cardioversion pads attached to his body. The doctor closely watches the procedure.
Cardioversion takes just a few minutes. However, you will likely be in the hospital for a few hours due to the prep time and monitoring after the procedure.
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What To Expect After Cardioversion
You will be closely watched for an hour or so after the procedure for any signs of complications. Your doctor or nurse will let you know when you can go home.
You may feel drowsy for several hours after the cardioversion because of the medicine used to make you sleep. You shouldn't drive or operate heavy machinery the day of the procedure. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital. Until the medicine wears off, it also may affect your awareness and ability to make decisions.
You may have some redness or soreness on your chest where the electrodes were placed. This may last for a few days after the procedure. You also may have slight bruising or soreness at the site where the intravenous (IV) line was inserted.
You will take medicine for several weeks to months after the procedure to prevent blood clots. During this time, you also may take medicine to prevent repeat arrhythmias.