Cardioversion

[Hellie54]

Ive had seven wonderful post-cryoablation months in nsr but .........I've been in afib for over two weeks, now taking bisoprolol 5mg and Rivaroxaban. EP has suggested cardioversion in hospital and I admit I'm scared. Has anyone had this done? Many thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

Cardioversion is generally a very safe procedure. I have had about four with no problems. It is not a cure for AF (nothing is ) but it is a useful indicator for future treatments if you can be converted to normal sinus rhythm.

Basically, you go into the ante room of the lab or operating theatre where you have a cannula put into your arm and pads stuck either one each side of your chest or one back and one front. They inject some fairy juice into your arm and whiles you are away playing with the fairies they shock your heart back into rhythm. It takes less than five minutes and apart from feeling a bit groggy for an hour or so afterwards all is well.

[Hellie54 in reply to BobD]

Thanks so much Bob. I think it's either that or Amiodarone. It's just scary to think of your heart being shocked I can't function like this though so need to do something.

[lms0006 in reply to BobD]

Have had 22 conversions 3 ablations. In N S R now but never know. Do not want to take Amniodrome due to side effects. Just at a loss!

[Hellie54 in reply to lms0006]

Yes I'm reluctant to take Amiodarone, although I took it for three months before my ablation and it did work. It's the long term effects that worry me. When you go into afib does it ever right itself?

[lms0006 in reply to Hellie54]

Not anymore. Always need to be converted

[lms0006 in reply to Hellie54]

No

[Ajitriturado in reply to lms0006]

Wow, 22! I was wondering whether it was worth trying a 3rd time!

[giada in reply to Ajitriturado]

absolutely

[Hidden]

Thank you Bob for your reply.

You can also read a more detailed description of the procedure in our Cardioversion booklet which can be downloaded from heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Regards

Rachel - AF Association - Patient Services

[pottypete1]

Cardioversion is very straightforward. I have had about 20 over as many years.

If my experience is anything to go by you will feel significantly better when you wake up and if it has returned you to NSR. It is almost a feeling of euphoria probably partially because of the anaesthetic.

Better than Ameoderone by miles if my personal experience of that drug is also anything to go by.

Best wishes for a successful outcome.

Pete

[Hellie54 in reply to pottypete1]

Oh thank you That's my mind made up x

[Handbaghoarder]

Hi. I'm quite recently diagnosed with Atrial Flutter. Have had 1 cardioversion . The procedure itself is nothing at all to worry about. I didn't even have to change out of day clothes to have mine. Done and dusted in minutes. Can't say I felt better immediately but once my Bisoprolol was reduced it was great. Good luck

[Hellie54 in reply to Handbaghoarder]

Thank you. I'm seeing my EP tomorrow so will know more then. I think the Bisoprolol is making me sluggish and short of breath. I'm not so scared now that I've heard from you all. Thanks again

[WendyWu20]

I had one earlier this year in A ad E. I had the choice of a chemical cardioversion (IV drugs), or with the electric pads, and went for electric as you are completely unconscious, awake in minutes afterwards then can go home v quickly. The only precaution is that you need to make sure they offer you a bite guard for your mouth, or you can end up with a badly bitten cheek and tongue (like me!). You may have burn marks on your chest afterwards, but this is nothing that can't be eased with aloe vera cream or camomile etc.

I was scared beforehand, but now I wouldn't worry if I had to have another :o) Hope it is successful for you!

[Hellie54 in reply to WendyWu20]

Thank you. I'll mention that to them as I have quite sharp teeth! I'll let you know how it goes.

[Ajitriturado]

Yes, twice. I was freaked by the idea, had to poll everybody I knew who had ever had it done. Everyone said it was no big deal and indeed, when I finally got brave enough to do it, that was my experience. They give you a forgetting drug, not a knock out drug, and I remember parts of one of my 2 experiences, but even so, it was not bad, and it worked. Worth trying IMO if it can get you off meds.

[Hellie54]

Hi all Well my EP wanted to give me Amiodarone as he thinks cardioversion might not work. So reluctantly I started them three days ago. I'm back in nsr now but really concerned about continuing with them. I feel a million times better though.

[giada]

I did cardioversion one time. Took a few minutes under sedation, then they let me rest a bit and sent me home. it was no big deal. You s hould be ok.

[Tapanac]

Cardioversion in my case was so easy, simple and successful. The only thing is the hospital sent me out with the tablets that I was taking before the cardioversion to slow the heart down and double the dose, so I went into really bad slow heartbeat and had to go back into hospital to speed it up again which wrecked the good work that the cardioversion did. I then had an ablation, but as I was still on flecainide couldn't tell whether it had worked. I have been told to stop the flecainide and now I have dreadful palpitations and thumps all the time. Yes, I'm still on 1.25 bisoprolol and Rivaroxaban, but because of the losartan and bisoprolol my heartbeat is so slow (39-41-45) I feel like I'm walking through treacle all the time and the palpitations are driving me mad. Don't worry if you hear bad things about Rivaroxaban, it is important to have a blood thinner with AF because of blood clots. I hope you Feel better soon