Overview Of Cardioversion

How It Works

Patients undergoing electrical cardioversion will receive medication first. This is a sedative to keep them asleep during the procedure! It also prevents pain from the shocks. Patients receive this medication through an intravenous line. A nurse will place electrodes on the patient's chest as well. They connect these to a defibrillator! This machine delivers the appropriate electrical shocks. However, it first records the patient's heart rhythm. This is vital since the recording allows the doctor and the machine to calibrate the correct electrical shocks! This procedure takes only a few minutes. Patients leave the same day as the procedure once the sedative wears off!

As mentioned, the chemical form uses medication to achieve the same effect. This medication is also administered through an intravenous line. The reason for this is that it increases the success of the procedure!

Keep reading to discover the risks associated with cardioversion next.