Electrical cardioversion is a procedure that uses an electrical shock to stop an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) and restore the heart's normal beating pattern. The electrical current will enter your body through metal patches that our medical staff will apply to your chest. Click here to watch a video showing the electrical system of the heart.

Who needs this procedure
It is most often used to stop atrial fibrillation. If you suffer from atrial fibrillation, your heart’s upper chambers beat irregularly, which affects the blood flow to the heart muscle and the rest of your body.

In an emergency, electrical cardioversion is also used for ventricular tachycardias. Ventricular tachycardia is a rapid heart rhythm that originates in the lower chambers (ventricles) of your heart. The rapid heart beat prevents your heart from pumping enough blood through your body.

Before the procedure
Cardioversion is performed in a hospital. However, it is usually an outpatient procedure. You cannot eat or drink anything for at least eight hours before the procedure. You will be required to sign a permit which explains the procedure and its risks. If you are a diabetic, talk to your doctor before the procedure to adjust your diabetes medication.

During the procedure
An intravenous line (IV) will be placed in your arm to give you medication for sedation (to relax you and make you sleep). Electrodes (electrical conductors) will be placed on the chest to monitor the heart rhythm, and larger pads will be placed on your chest or back to deliver an electrical shock.

A finger probe will be placed on your finger. This is a device to monitor the amount of oxygen in your blood. In addition to the finger probe, an automatic blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm to monitor your blood pressure. You will be given medication that will put you into a short, deep sleep, but you will still be able to breathe on your own.

While you are asleep, the cardiologist and his team will deliver an electrical shock through the pads on your chest to correct the arrhythmia.

What happens after the procedure
You should expect to stay in bed for a few hours until the medication used for sedation wears off. Our medical staff will observe you and monitor your vital signs frequently for two hours. For a few days, you may feel a slight soreness in your chest and may have a mild burn, similar to a sunburn, in the areas of the electrical shock.