Cardioversion |
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| Cardioversion is a procedure that rapidly restores a person's heart rate to a normal rhythm by delivering a shock of electricity directly to the heart. There are two types of cardioversion -- external and internal. External Cardioversion An external cardioversion is often performed in an emergency situation. When a person's heart is beating abnormally, an electrical shock is given by using a defibrillator to revert the heart rate to a normal rhythm. Other times, an external cardioversion is scheduled ahead of time for treatment of an arrhythmia (most often atrial fibrillation). Often, prior to the scheduled cardioversion, tests will be done to make sure there are no blood clots in the heart. Some people are put on medication to “thin” the blood, before having the cardioversion. With a scheduled cardioversion, the person is usually sedated beforehand. The doctor then delivers an electrical shock to the heart by using defibrillator paddles. Once the shock (electrical current) is delivered, the person's heart converts to a normal heart rhythm. Afterwards, a medication regimen may be used to decrease the likelihood of a recurrence of the arrhythmia. Internal CardioversionAn internal cardioversion is similar to a pacemaker. Technically, it is called an "implantable cardioverter defibrillator." This device is used most often for treating ventricular (lower heart chamber) arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachyarrhythmias or fibrillation. The severity of these arrhythmias can cause sudden death because of the dangerously fast heart rate. The small device is implanted under the skin (just like a pacemaker), and the battery lasts for 3-5 years. Wires run through the heart veins to the heart. This device will sense when the heart is going into an abnormal rhythm and actually send the heart an electrical shock to make it start beating normally again. COMPLICATIONSPossible complications (relatively low for internal cardioverters) include:
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Reviewed By: Victoria Kennedy, RN, A.D.A.M. editorial.
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