Electric cardioversion

Electric cardioversion

Electrical cardioversion is a procedure used to stop heart arrhythmias, most commonly atrial fibrillation or flutter. These arrhythmias usually impair the heart's performance and can also lead to clots in the heart's compartments (atria).

This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, i.e. without the need for further hospitalisation.

In cardioversion, a discharge of current is applied to the heart through the surface of the chest using a defibrillator to interrupt the arrhythmia and restore the heart's normal rhythm. To eliminate the pain perception during the discharge, cardioversion is performed while the patient is briefly sedated. Because of the need to monitor basic vital signs (breathing, blood pressure, heart rhythm), the procedure takes place in a specially equipped room (cardiac ICU room).

Prior to cardioversion

• Eat or drink nothing since midnight.
• Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue to take all medications on the day of the procedure (with a small amount of water).
• Expect to be supervised for 2 hours after the procedure.
• After this performance, you will not be able to drive the car until the evening.

Examination process

• A cannula will be inserted into a vein in your forearm, into which a short-term anaesthetic will be administered and medication as prescribed by your doctor.
• Adhesive electrodes will be placed on your chest to read the ECG waveform.
• Your blood pressure will be measured at regular intervals using an arm band.
• Medication will then be given to induce a short-term (a few minutes) deep sleep to remove the perception of pain.
• After you have been put to sleep, 2 defibrillator electrodes are placed on your chest and an electric shock is applied in a fraction of a second. If normal heart rhythm is not restored, the shock can be repeated immediately using higher energy.
• You will not feel the electric discharge, you may feel a slight weakness after the procedure.
• For 2 hours we will continue to monitor your vital signs (breathing, blood pressure, heart rate) and gradually we wake you up from your artificially induced sleep. During these 2 hours, you must not eat or drink anything.

After the procedure

You may feel soreness in your chest or back after the procedure. More often, you may feel a slight burning sensation on the surface of your body where the defibrillator electrodes were attached. These areas are usually red. In such cases, they are treated with ointment or burn cream.

During the 24 hours after the procedure, you should not drive motor vehicles or heavy machinery and drink alcohol. You should also take into account that your ability to concentrate or make decisions may be partially impaired and not leave serious decisions or signing of legal documents for this period.

After the procedure, you will be given a follow-up appointment with your cardiologist.