Consumer Information

Cardioversion

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Cardioversion (KAR-d-o-ver-shun) is when a machine called a defibrillator (d-FIB-rih-la-tur) gives a short electric shock to the heart. Special cells inside the heart send electrical impulses to the heart muscles telling the heart to beat. These cells are called pacemaker cells. A normal heart beats about 70 to 80 times a minute. During cardioversion, caregivers use a machine called a defibrillator (d-FIB-rih-la-tur) to give a short electric shock to the heart. This shock is given at a certain time during the heartbeat to help your heartbeat return to normal.
The heart has 4 chambers or rooms called the right and left atria (A-tree-uh) and ventricles (VEN-trik-ulls). Blood vessels bring blood from your body to the right atrium in your heart. The blood moves into the right ventricle where it is pumped into the lungs to get oxygen. The oxygen-rich blood goes into the left atrium and down into the left ventricle. The left ventricle pumps the blood out to the body where the oxygen can be used.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

It is very rare to have problems caused by cardioversion. With some arrhythmias, blood stays in the heart too long and blood clots can form. Cardioversion can cause these clots to break away and travel through the blood. If a clot gets stuck in a small blood vessel, the tissue beyond the clot cannot get enough blood. The tissue may then start to die, which is called an infarction (in-FARK-shun). If a clot travels to the brain it can cause a stroke. Even with cardioversion your heartbeat may not return to normal.
Even with cardioversion, your heartbeat may not return to normal. Sometimes after successful cardioversion, your heart may return to the abnormal heartbeat.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before Your Cardioversion:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.
Call button: You may use the call button when you need your caregiver. Pain, trouble breathing, or wanting to get out of bed are good reasons to call. The call button should always be close enough for you to reach it.
Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
12-lead ECG: This test, also called an EKG, helps caregivers look for damage or problems in different areas of the heart. Caregivers may need to prepare your skin by shaving off some hair, or cleaning it with a gritty lotion. Sticky pads are placed on your chest, arms, and legs. Each sticky pad has a wire that is hooked to a machine or TV-type screen. A short period of electrical activity in your heart muscle is recorded. Caregivers will look closely for certain problems or changes in how your heart is working. This test takes about 5 to 10 minutes. It is important that you lie as still as possible during the test. You may need this test more than once.
Gown: A hospital gown is needed so that caregivers can easily check and treat you. Caregivers will show you how to put on your gown. You may not be allowed to wear your own bedclothes or undergarments to the operating room. This is because you may need monitors on your skin during surgery. When you feel better you may be able to wear your own bedclothes.
Heart monitor: This is also called an ECG, electrocardiogram, or telemetry. Sticky pads are placed on your chest or different parts of your body. Each pad has a wire leading to a small portable box (telemetry unit), or to a TV-type screen. This lets caregivers see a tracing of the electrical activity of your heart. The heart monitor may help caregivers see problems with the way your heart is beating. Do not remove any wires or sticky pads without asking your caregiver first.
IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.
Pulse oximeter: A pulse oximeter is a machine that tells how much oxygen is in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your ear, finger, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Caregivers use this machine to see if you need more oxygen.
Vital signs: This includes taking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeat), and respirations (counting your breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which gives your blood pressure reading. Caregivers may listen to your heart and lungs by using a stethoscope. Your vital signs are taken so caregivers can see how you are doing.
Pre-Op Care: Pre-Op care is the care you get right before your cardioversion. You may be given extra oxygen before and after cardioversion. It is given through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose. It can also be given through nasal prongs (short, thin tubes in your nose). You may be given IV medicines before the cardioversion to make you sleep and not remember the procedure. You are taken on a cart to the room where your surgery will be done. Caregivers help you get comfortable on the bed and put a belt over your legs for safety.
Oxygen: You may be given extra oxygen to help you breathe easier during the cardioversion. It may be given through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose. Oxygen may be also be given through nasal prongs (short, thin tubes in your nose).
Medicines: You may be given the following medicines before, during, or after your cardioversion.
- Anti-anxiety medicine: This medicine may be given to help you feel less nervous and more relaxed.
- Blood thinners: This medicine helps stop clots from forming in your blood. Blood thinners may be given before, during, and after a surgery or procedure. Blood thinners make it easier for you to bleed or bruise. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Use a soft toothbrush to help keep your gums from bleeding.
- Heart Medicine: This medicine may be given to make your heart beat better or more regularly. There are many different kinds of heart medicines. Talk with your caregiver to find out what your medicine is and why you are taking it. You may need to take heart medicine for the rest of your life.

During Your Cardioversion: Paddles or pads are placed on your chest. Caregivers may put gel on your skin where the paddles are placed and put firm pressure on the paddles. This helps the electrical charge go into your body better. Several shocks may be needed to return your heartbeat to normal.

After Your Cardioversion: You are taken to a room where you can rest until you are fully awake. You may then be able to go home. Or, if you are staying in the hospital you may be taken back to your room. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK. You may be given extra oxygen after the procedure. Another 12-lead EKG may be taken to check your heartbeat.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page

	Search:
Browse all medications A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z	Advanced Search