Heart rhythm procedure
Electrical Cardioversion
A procedure used to change your heart from beating irregularly back to beating in a regular way, which is called sinus rhythm.
- Day Surgery Unit
- Short general anaesthetic
- Home in about 4 hours
How it works
A brief, controlled reset for your heartbeat
A machine called a defibrillator delivers a brief electrical shock that resets the heart’s rhythm.
A brief electrical shock
The shock passes between two electrical pads placed on your chest and back.
You are asleep
You have a short general anaesthetic, so you are unaware of the shock and feel no pain.
A small needle in your hand
The drugs to put you to sleep are given through a small needle in the back of your hand.
2.0–3.0
Target INR range for at least four consecutive weeks if you take Warfarin
- Warfarin
- Dabigatran
- Rivaroxaban
- Apixaban
- Edoxaban
Before your procedure
Taking your Warfarin and other blood thinners
Some abnormal heart rhythms can increase the risk of a blood clot, which can lead to a stroke. To lower this risk and keep the treatment safe, your blood must be adequately thinned for at least four weeks before your admission.
Please check your anticoagulation records. If you take Warfarin, your INR readings should be between 2.0 and 3.0 for at least four consecutive weeks. After cardioversion, keep taking your anticoagulant until your doctor reviews you in the outpatient clinic.
The procedure
What happens on the day
The treatment is carried out in the Day Surgery Unit. Electrode pads are 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.
Pads are applied
Electrode pads go on the skin of your chest and back.
You fall asleep
A short general anaesthetic is given.
A small shock is delivered
It may be repeated depending on the results.
Complications are uncommon
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.
- A bruised feeling from muscle spasm is the most common complication
- Redness and soreness of the skin, similar to sunburn, for a couple of days
- Problems with the anaesthetic are rare, as the anaesthetist checks your fitness first
After care and going home
After the procedure you will be sleepy for a while. Your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen level are checked regularly, you stay on a monitor and an ECG is recorded. Once you are fully awake you will be offered something to eat and drink.
- You can expect to go home after about 4 hours
Discharge advice
For 24 hours after cardioversion
Do not drive
Have a responsible adult with you
Do not operate potentially dangerous devices, as your reflexes may be reduced
Do not make legal decisions
Do not return to work the day after your cardioversion
Resume normal activities after 24 hours, unless advised otherwise
Questions about getting ready for cardioversion? Our team is happy to help.