risks of electrocarioversion

[shadski]

Hi I am new to this site and wish I had found it sooner. I have had AFib since at east July. My Dr. wants me to do electrocardioversion I can't find anything that talks about risks. all the sites are pro cardioversion and say that the risks are "minimal and hypothetical". Can any one help me?

[BobD Volunteer]

Yes that is basically true provided that some basic checks are done first. It is important to ensure that the patient is either cardioverted within 24 hrs of the event (AF) starting or after they have been anticoagulated with INR in range (2.to 3) for at least four consecutive weeks) This is to make sure that there are no potential clots floating about which may be sent round the body and cause a stroke.. I an emergency a TOE can be performed prior to cardioversion to check this . ( Trans oesophagial echocardiogram -- to look inside the heart to check there are no clots.)

I have had a total of three, Two in range and one after TOE and had no problems although it is possible that you may get a slight skin burn like sunburn from the pads. You will be asleep while it is done which only takes a minute or so and can go home the same day if with a friend or relative. No driving for 48 hours usually. As Alexandra would say. Simples!

Some people may be cardioverted to NSR and remain so indefinitely whilst others may revert to AF in hours or days. It all depends on their condition but there is a view that if cardioversion fails repeatedly then there is little point in attempting it. My three were not for AF but other arrhythmias post ablations..

Hope that helps but any other details I am sure others will have other stories.

BobD

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Shadski

My CV was very easy to be honest, not a lot too it and well described by Bob above, but didn't work unfortunately.

MIne was done in the room just outside the operating theatre, and I remember asking the Doc about risk whilst on the trolley.

He said, two risks really; the small one is that a clot breaks loose, which is why we insisted that your INR was in range, and there is a very small risk of cardiac arrest.

I said "cardiac arrest" somewhat alarmed, and he said Can you think of a better place to have one than outside the operating theatre of a specialist heart hospital?

In my opinion the risks are very low indeed, it's very much a routine procedure nowadays, and due to the preparation it's a very low risk procedure, and given where it takes place, it's even lower risk in the rare event something goes wrong.

I felt nothing, had some red and slightly sore patches on chest and back, and the cream they give you clears that up very quickly.

Good luck

Ian

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Shadski - I agree totally with what both Bob and Ian say. I've had three cardioversions (one with a TOE) and have had no problems with any of them other than feeling so much better afterwards. I was warned before I had mine that some people can end up with a very low heart rate after a cardioverson and need medical attention, they said they'd only known it happen twice in 14 years. If I had problems with my heart rhythm again I would beg them to let me have another one.

Jean

[shadski]

thanks so much to all of you. I go see my Dr on Monday to discuss it. I wish I had found this group 4 months ago.

[gerryatriq]

hi

Yes also had 3 cardioversions, no big deal. You are asleep and will be having a cuppa tea with 20 mins.

None of them worked for me for more than 3 days, but my AF was well established and almost impossible to eradicate with CV.

Get it done as soon as you can.