Why is this procedure done?
Your heart has an electrical system that controls each heartbeat. The signal starts at the top of the heart and moves to the bottom. This signal tells your heart to squeeze and pump blood. The signal repeats with each heartbeat. A problem or hold-up in the signal can cause an abnormal heartbeat. With an abnormal heartbeat, the heart may beat too fast or too slow. It may also beat in an irregular pattern. These are called arrhythmias. If they are not treated right away, the abnormal heart rhythms may lead to serious problems. Some of them are heart attack, stroke, and cardiac arrest. To prevent these problems, your doctor may suggest a cardioversion. ‚
Cardioversion is done to change an abnormal heart rhythm into a normal heart rhythm. Cardioversion is used to treat very fast or irregular heartbeats. It is done using an energy shock or with drugs. ‚
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What will the results be?
Your hearts rhythm will return to normal. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- In emergency cases, this procedure may be done without any preparations.
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- A test to look at the electrical activity of your heart. This is an electrocardiogram (ECG).
- A test to show your doctor images of your heart using sound waves. This is a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE).
- Blood-thinning drugs to prevent blood clots
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- In an emergency, this procedure may be done anywhere you are and the equipment and trained people are on hand.
- Once you are in the operating room, you will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the procedure. The staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs.
- The staff will attach small, sticky patches on your chest. These are called electrodes.
- For electric cardioversion:
- The staff will attach two large sticky pads to your skin. They will go on your upper right chest and lower left chest. These pads are connected to a machine called a defibrillator. This machine sends a low energy electric shock to the heart muscle when it is needed.
- When successful, this shock makes the heart stop beating irregularly and start beating normally.
- In some cases, you may need more than one low energy electric shock.
- For cardioversion with drugs:
- The staff will give you drugs through your I.V. or by mouth.
- When successful, the drugs make the heartbeat stop beating irregularly and start beating normally.
- In some cases, you may need more than one dose of the drug.
- This procedure may take less than 30 minutes.
What happens after the procedure?
- The staff will move you to the Recovery Room after the procedure. They will watch your heart rate, breathing, and other vital signs.
- Sometimes, you may go home after the procedure. Other times, you may need to stay longer at the hospital. You will need to stay if drugs are needed to keep your heartbeat normal.
- Before you go home, the staff will remove the sticky patches from your chest.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
You may have to limit your activities. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. You may have to avoid tiring activities that may make your heart beat fast. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Prevent blood clots
- Keep a heartbeat normal
What problems could happen?
- Pain, burn marks, and bruising on the area where the pads were attached
- Arrhythmias are worse
- Blood clot
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Shortness of breath
- Fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills
- Very bad muscle pain or weakness
- Very bad dizziness
- Very upset stomach or throwing up
Where can I learn more?
American Heart Association ‚
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Arrhythmia/PreventionTreatmentofArrhythmia/Cardioversion_UCM_447318_Article.jsp ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/crv/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚