CARDIOVERSION

[Hugo40]

I am having a Cardioversion within a few days. I understand it will be under full Sedation. I have never yet been fully under sedation. I had an Angiogram about a year ago, I felt alot of pain especially when the probe was in my Heart area. Injecting the Mild Sedation used did nothing. Nor the Under Tongue Spray. It was quite painful but the Angiogram did not last very long which was good. The Cardiologist said my arteries were gripping the wire.

I would hate to be simi-concious when they are trying to stop my heart. With dental surgery a couple times in the past when my Adrenalin started to flow it wiped out the Pain Killer effect.

Any advice or experience please.

Hugo40

[Jalia]

Having had very many dc cardioversions I can say that I was fully sedated and completely unaware of the procedure. Worry not!!

[dezi in reply to Jalia]

You will not feel a thing and if line me not remember much about it either

[PJR1949]

Hello, I’ve had a couple the most recent two weeks ago. It is seriously nothing to worry about. As you say far less worrying being sedated than waiting for them to do the deed. I’m sure all concerned will be lovely, explain what they are going to do and carry it out competently. Sedation is very light, I think they said it lasts about 10 minutes or so.

I was chatting to the consultant when I woke up back in the recovery room. After a couple of checks, electrocardiogram, blood pressure etc, I was going home for my lunch.

Please don’t worry, although im sure you will a little. Penny

[Rubymurray25]

I have had a few and the first was the most worrying as I didn't know what to expect but I would say the anxiety is 10 times worse than what in the end felt like a very quick simple procedure. I found the doctors and nurses so reassuring it felt like seconds.

[CDreamer]

I’ve never had a cardioversion so couldn’t advise but there have been several posts about people finding sedation has not worked for them so I would be very vocal about expressing your concerns and ask them to check you really are out of it before the team strt the procedure

[Neoneo]

You will be totally under and know nothing. It takes a couple of minutes. I hope it works for you. Mine worked for four days!

[BobD Volunteer]

Fairy juice in your arm and away you go. Never felt a thing . Mind you I never did with either of the angiograms I had since there are no nerves in arteries so don't know what could have happened to you. Yes I did feel the catheter being pushed along with the last one because the arteries were pushing on other bits of me but strange sensation rather than pain.

[cicek in reply to BobD]

I am due to have a cardioversion. Is the procedure done under full sedation or is Medasalam given to help the patient forget the same as in endoscopies etc. I will definitely be asking for GA 😀😀😀

[Ducky2003 in reply to cicek]

I was given Midazolam for all mine. Not sure they would give a GA for a cardioversion unless they had to perform a TOE first.

[Walkingballer]

I was worried. But it took 15 mins… no pain or any discomfort.. and to have it back in rhythm feels great. 4 weeks later built up to playing tennis and golf. Nothing to fear at all.

[Camille777]

The other procedures you mentioned were not full sedation & neither is cardioversion. I'm having cardioversion for the first time in a couple of weeks & they use the same drug they use when giving a colonoscopy. I've had one surgery & I was petrified, not of the surgery, it was knee surgery, but of the anesthesiology, so I understand. But even if you have a TEE which everyone should have, the sedation they give you for cardioversion is not the same & it won't last long at all. I'm not scared at all if it can stop this madness called AFib. But you will be out & feel nothing.

[Ducky2003]

I did feel my first cardioversion and that's when they discovered I was resistant to sedation, hence now, I get a higher dose and I'm zonked out for a couple of hours after. I'm sure if you mention your concern, they will make sure you are properly sedated.

[Hidden]

Hello. I had a cardioversion a few years ago when two sedation attempts failed to make any impression and I had a general anaesthetic in the end. I had the same problem at my first ablation. But don’t despair! They can do various things to manage it if you tell them beforehand

Two anaesthetists have told me that when the heart isn’t working at full capacity it may not circulate the sedative as quickly as they normally expect

I now tell the anaesthetist to make sure I’m out before they start, and I ve not had any recurrence

I hope it goes well for you

[TracyAdmin Partner]

'Cardioversion for AF' booklet may be helpful to you in providing an overview of the procedure - its available to download on the AF Association website heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...