Overview
Cardioversion is a treatment for arrhythmias (particularly ventricular tachycardia) and atrial fibrillation. An electric shock is delivered to the heart to permanently restore it to a normal rhythm. Cardioversion is not the same as defibrillation.
Detailed Description
There are three types of cardioversion:
- External cardioversion is similar to defibrillation, and in fact involves a defibrillator. The physician uses paddles placed on the chest to shock the heart. This procedure differs from defibrillation in that it is pre-planned, while defibrillation is used only in emergency situations. External cardioversion also uses much lower levels of electricity than defibrillation.
- During chemical cardioversion, medicines are administered to the patient in a controlled, hospital setting. The medicines should convert the heart to its normal rhythm.
- Internal cardioversion is a last resort if the other two have not worked. The doctor threads catheters through the patient’s veins and into the heart, and uses those catheters to deliver the shock directly to the heart.
Last updated: 31-May-04
