It is also referred to as DC or direct-current Cardioversion. Chemical Cardioversion may be performed in the hospital under monitoring or as an outpatient visit – depending on the severity of symptoms and underlying causes of the heart condition.Įlectrical Cardioversion is a procedure in which paddles or electrodes are used to deliver an electrical current through the chest to the heart. Anti-arrhythmic medications work by altering the flow of electricity through the heart. Cardioversion can also help to treat other kinds of abnormal heartbeats such as atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia.ĭuring Chemical Cardioversion, anti-arrhythmic medications are administered to restore the heart’s normal rhythm. Many people who have atrial fibrillation don’t notice any changes in the way they feel, but at least 2.7 million Americans are already living with AFib. Atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF) is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. When Cardioversion or Defibrillation is used in an emergency, it is to correct an abnormal rhythm accompanied by low blood pressure, faintness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or loss of consciousness.Įlective Cardioversion is used to treat arrhythmias such as irregular heartbeat or heart rhythms that are too fast or too slow. Most non-emergency Cardioversions are performed to treat atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter – both are non-life threatening abnormal rhythms in the top portion of the patient’s heart. Cardioversion is a corrective procedure administered chemically or electrically to convert an abnormal heart rhythm into a normalized heartbeat rhythm.
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