Cardioversion

[Profound15]

Does anyone know whether having a cardioversion causes scarring or damage to the heart muscles please?

[Dukeboyatnight123]

I believe it does something I can't wear my seat belt or lye on my left since I had my cardioversion may 2018 jumped back out again 10 months later waste of time

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Dukeboyatnight123]

You think that 10 months without AF after a cardioversion is a waste of time? I can tell you if you had the disabling AF like I used to get, you would be grateful for a month of being in normal rhythm.

Jean

[Appelonia in reply to Dukeboyatnight123]

I have had three cardioversions and did not stay in NSR for even 24 hours after any one of them. I think they can be immensely helpful for some people, but were not that effective for me.

[Hidden]

I don't think there is any evidence to support damage to the heart by Cardio version. It would be interesting to hear if there is. I have been assured that there isnt. Some of us on this forum have had a great many..myself 19.

[Kellyjelly]

Really interesting question, Ive never had a cardioversion but always felt worried about the possibility and that it must be bad for the heart. Since being on this forum though I’ve realised that people have them quite often and don’t have any problems as far as I can see.

[sleeksheep]

I have been told I always converted on the first pulse - micro seconds at the lowest joule.

If you do not convert on the first shock it gets a progressively higher joule until rhythm is established or not ( 60% will cardiovert successfully )

If you used chemical cardioversion there are associated side effects and if you have an ablation scarring is the cure usually only done after a cardioversion.

I am trying to point out that its not a point to dwell on as other options are .........?

So if there is any scarring having a cv it must be of a benign nature - in the long term.

As an aside I had Tens machine in physio which he accidentally turned full on instead of off, it was like a horse kicked me in the heart and thats only a fraction of the joule that a cardioversion uses.

[seasider18 in reply to sleeksheep]

I have permanent AF and my wife's TENs machine says that I should not use it on any part of my body and my GP confirmed that.

I don't know what difference there is between TENs and Ultra Sound but hospital Physio used ultra sound when I had tendonitis when first going into AF after aortic valve replacement.

[sleeksheep in reply to seasider18]

Must be just a difference of opinion my Dr and Physio both said its quite safe - ultra sound is sonic , tens is electrical impulse.

Tens machine that I use is innocuous even at setting 8 but I wouldn't use it across the chest but lower back is quite safe so I have been told.

Even the mishap with the physio,s tens machine didnt give the slightest flutter or palpitation .

[voyagersprit]

I've had 4. Last one has lasted over 2 years. Why do you ask the question as if you need it just have it.

[pottypete1]

I have had more than 20.

Apart from a sore chest for a couple of days I have had no problems. I would have no hesitation in having another should it prove necessary.

Pete

[BobD Volunteer]

In short NO. The procedure applies an electric shock across the heart which hopefully re-aligns the cells of the heart muscle so that they work in harmony and NSR is returned. It can't cause a scar and it can't do any other damage.to the heart. Prolonged uncontrolled AF . however is a different matter.

Th greatest risk with DCCV is burning of the skin at high power settings. There is also a small risk of a burn when there is damp between pads and skin which could cause scalding . For most people a red patch or two which is easliy treated with "aftersun" type ointments is a small price to pay fora return to normal rhythm.

I must add that there have been people who suffer back pain post cardioversion. This I suspect is a result of the muscle spams which occur during the procedure. Having had to simulate being cardioverted for a flim I helped make some years ago I can say is is a very physcal experience.

Of course DCCV is not a cure for AF but it does allow signposting to other treatments if the person feel better in NSR.

[Hidden]

I had terrible shoulder pains after my first DCCV, my guess is that I jarred it when I was shocked, but for 6 months of NSR it was a small price to pay