Electrical Cardioversion
It is a procedure used to change your heart from beating irregularly, back to beating in a regular way, which is called sinus rhythm. A machine called a defibrillator will be used to deliver a brief electrical shock between two electrical pads placed upon your chest and back. You will have a short general anaesthetic and therefore be unaware of the shock and will feel no pain. The drugs to put you to sleep will be administered through a small needle inserted into the back of your hand.
Taking your Warfarin and other anticoagulation medication Some abnormal heart rhythms can cause increased risk of developing a blood clot, putting you at risk of developing a stroke. To minimise this risk and for thetreatment to be safe, it is important that your blood has been adequately thinned for at least four weeks prior to your admission. This includes Warfarin, Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, Apixaban and Edoxaban medications. Please check your anticoagulation documentation and if you are taking Warfarin, the INR readings should be between 2.0 and 3.0 for at least four consecutive weeks. After cardioversion anticoagulation medication must be continued until a review by your doctor in the outpatients department.
The procedure
The treatment is carried out in the Day Surgery Unit. Electrode pads will be applied to the skin on your chest and back. When you are asleep, a small electrical shock is delivered through the pads. This may be repeated according to the results obtained.
Complications
Cardioversion is usually very successful and side effects are rare. The main problem is that it may not restore your heart to a normal rhythm. The most common complication is a bruised feeling from muscle spasm. Redness and soreness of the skin, similar to sunburn, may also be experienced for a couple of days following the procedure. Problems with anaesthetic are rare as the anaesthetist will have assessed your fitness prior to the procedure.
After care/discharge advice
After the procedure you will be sleepy for a while. Your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen level will be checked regularly until you have recovered from the anaesthetic. You will be attached to a monitor and an ECG will be recorded. Once you are fully awake you will be offered something to eat and drink. You can expect to go home after 4 hours.
For 24 hours after the cardioversion:
- You must not drive.
- You must have a responsible adult with you.
- You must not operate any potentially dangerous devices as your reflexes
- may be reduced.
- You must not make legal decisions.
- You must not return to work on the day following your cardioversion.
- You will be able to resume your normal activities after 24 hours, unless you have been advised otherwise.