Cardioversion
What is a cardioversion (also called elective cardioversion)?
Cardioversion is a simple procedure that is offered at the Inova Heart Center. It is performed to correct a fast or chaotic heart rhythm after medications fail to change the rhythm back to normal. A cardioversion actually sends an electrical shock to the heart through the chest wall. This shock momentarily stops the heart and its irregular rhythm. The shock usually disrupts the abnormal stimulus and allows the heart's normal rhythm to take over.
This procedure is most commonly performed for individuals who have atrial fibrillation that has not responded to medications. Although many people live and function without difficulty with atrial fibrillation, it may be worth trying to restore the heart to a normal rhythm.
Preparing for the procedure
This procedure is always done in the hospital. You can usually go home the same day. Your Inova cardiologist will give special instructions on not eating a meal prior to the scheduled cardioversion, or not eating anything for a period of about eight hours.
In addition, your Inova cardiologist may prescribe a blood thinner to be taken for several weeks prior to the procedure. This is done to prevent any formation of clots inside the heart. They can form when the top two chambers of the heart are fibrillating, or quivering, and not contracting to propel the blood into the ventricle. Blood can pool and clot along the inside wall of the heart. Clots inside the heart can dislodge during the cardioversion and cause complications such as a stroke.
Finally, a nurse will put an intravenous line in your arm.
During the procedure
When this procedure is performed electively, you are put to sleep for a short period of time with a short-acting anesthesia. An electronic piece of equipment, called a cardioverter/defibrillator, is used. Paddles on the equipment are placed on your chest, and the machine is synchronized to your heart rhythm. The Inova cardiologist chooses the appropriate dose of current or shock that will be passed through your chest via the paddles. The shock is discharged by the machine and converts the heart rhythm to a normal rhythm.
After the procedure
When you wake up from the procedure, your heart rate, blood pressure and heart rhythm will be monitored for several hours. Someone will have to drive you home, since you may be drowsy from the anesthesia. In addition, you may experience some soreness in your chest. This is normal. Your Inova Physician may prescribe a blood thinner to be taken for several more weeks, and appropriate blood tests to monitor your clotting levels.
- Adult Congenital Heart Clinic
- Hospital Care
- Medications
- Lifestyle Changes
- Cardioversion
- Ablation
- Angioplasty
- Directional Coronary Athrectomy
- Laser
- Ratoblator®
- Stents
- Valvuloplasty
- Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Carotid Endarterectomy
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiac Valve Replacement/Repair
- Transmyocardial Revascularization
- Heart Transplant
- Cryoablation
- Optimzer II
- EECP
- Congenital Defects
