Cardioevasion !!

[sue5511]

Hi this site is so informative. I have AF. On medication , still breathless quite a bit. Having Echocardiogram on Friday. Seems I may need Cardiovasion (think thats how you

spell it) Has anyone had this procedure please

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Hi Sue, I think you mean cardioversion and there are many, many people here who have had that experience. I've had 3 of them and it is quite an easy procedure, though I will admit I was fairly terrified the first time. You will have a short nap thanks to some lovely drugs and when you wake 5 minutes later, hopefully your heart will be back in normal rhythm and you can appreciate the bliss of it. How long one stays in sinus rhythm afterward is highly variable. For me it was 5 minutes with the first experience, but it can be months or longer. Good luck. Don't fret about it if you need it. Be well!

[BobD Volunteer]

CARDIOVERSION is a simple procedure aimed to return an arrhythmic heart to normal sinus rhythm.

You will be taken to the anti room of an operating theatre where you will be prepared. Two pads will be stuck either one each side of your chest or one front and one back. A canula will be put into a vein in your arm and when everybody is ready some fairy juice is squirted in. While you are away playing with those fairies a shock will be discharged across your heart which should put everything back to normal. Then they wake you up.

Cardioversion is not a cure for AF but it will put you back into rhythm in most cases and shows the way forward for any future treatment. It only takes a very few minutes (maybe five). You may have some slight soreness like sunburn where the patches were which will go after a day or so with some suitable cream.

Absolutely nothing to worry about although of course they will tell you lots of things which might happen, usually just so you can't sue them if it did. I've had four but others are in the teens.

Obviously since you will have been put out you can't drive afterwards for a day or so.

Enjoy

Bob

[PeterWh]

Yes very many on this site and most of those multiple ones. It's really a simple walk in the park. Put pads on you (most EPs do back and front). You get given a light anaesthetic or sedation and then they shock you. You wake up a few minutes later, usually feeling much better than before. Don't worry if at sometime in the future you revert to AF. The key thing for them is that they use the results to determine future treatment.

[CDreamer]

Hi Sue and welcome. You may get many replies from people as many have had cardioversions who will offer their experience.

I personally haven't but I do know that it is often a procedure given to assess whether or not you may be a possible candidate for ablation, which tends to be a more long lasting treatment.

If you go to the AFA website you will find a lot of information on the downloadable leaflets and there is one on cardioversions explaining exactly what it is and what to expect and most importantly - what questions to ask.

Pleased you found us, this site has helped me so much and it is a very supportive group of people so do keep posting and let us know how you get on.

Best wishes CD

[sue5511]

Thank you very much.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Sue - I've had lots of cardioversions and please believe me there really is no reason to fear having one. Others on here have explained the procedure very clearly for you. I'm actually pleased when they offer me one, because I go in feeling poorly with an abnormal heart rate and after the procedure wake up with a normal one. It really is the most wonderful feeling to be in sinus rhythm again. I always feel so grateful to have had the procedure that I could cry with joy and am full of thanks to the team who performed the procedure.

Jean

[Hidden]

Yes Sue, I had my 16th just 2 weeks ago.

GP sent me to AE as I was in fast AF ( couldnt get rate down and refractory to drug treatment )so after about 7 hrs in resus cardioversion was carried out there. This was First time I've had it done in AE. Usually its been in ante room of theatre, Cath lab or CCU ward.

Absolutely nothing to worry about although the first time feels scary. You will be fine and feel great to get back into a normal rhythm.

Sandra

[jan-ran]

On the subject of cardioversion, can anyone think of a reason why my friend, with her first af event, went into a and e and promptly had a cardio version. Whereas I went to a and e, waited through ten hours of af, until it stopped on its own and I was sent home with new meds. Different hospitals? My friend has not had af since then. This happened several years ago.

Off topic: really sorry about missing lunch today Bob. Wretched af.

Now very disappointed at frequency ( 3 episodes in 24 hours). And a bit worried. Should be getting better, weight loss and all. Just a blip? JanR

[PeterWh in reply to jan-ran]

Not only hospital but actual staff on duty.

[Annekw in reply to jan-ran]

I read an article recently,to be in with a chance of Convertion working,it should be done as soon as possible after the event!

I had my first one within 48hrs (this was in Tenerife) Unfortunately it only lasted 72hrs!

[JackyMac in reply to jan-ran]

My cardioversion has been very successful. I went to A&E with AF and thumping heart. I was sent home with AF. After finding this website and with advice from the key people it would have saved a lot of time if I'd had CV before leaving hospital. I am still waiting for a follow up nhs cardio following A&E. I went privately and I have been good since (1 month on). I am back jogging, swimming lengths and feeling great. A CV has given me back my life, even if only temporary.

[Wodney1966]

Had my cadioversion may 2015 still goin strong but need a icd na as a back up

[JackyMac in reply to Wodney1966]

Wodney1966 I am hoping for same success. Great to hear your news

[sue5511]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply. Feeling a lot more positive now. Not so daunting.