Sedation for Cardioversion

[cicek]

I received a telephone call from the hospital today with a date for my cardioversion. I understood from the cardiologist that I would be put out but was told today that is not the case and it will only be sedation. I have an appointment with the nurse a week beforehand to go through it all. Meds are working quite well at the moment although my HR is constantly jumping about as my AF is now persistent. Been in PAF for. many years beforehand. Any advice from those who have had gone through the procedure. Thank you .

[Jalia]

I think you will find that it will be a heavy sedation and you shouldn't be aware of the procedure at all. Your nurse will be able to reassure you. I've had very many with no.problem.

[cicek in reply to Jalia]

Thank you. I feel reassured now.

[BobD Volunteer]

Sedation is what they give you but you will not know anything about it. This is an area where the terms sedation and anaesthesia are a little blurred,. Relax, go play with the fairies and wake up happy.

[cicek in reply to BobD]

Thanks. I'll let you know if see the fairies x

[KipperJohn]

I had 2 before I eventually had 2 ablations back in 2015 and 2016. I had to sign a consent form as with any such procedure. I was fully anaesthetised for about five minutes and woke up back in NSR - worked first time both times. PS I now rely on eventual ‘self reversion’ without any PIP, although as my episodes are getting progressively more frequent I may well ask my EP about such a possibility when I see him next week. Good luck - it’s a very common procedure.

[cicek in reply to KipperJohn]

Thank you. That's helped ease my worry.

[jeanjeannie50]

All I know, and I've had quite a few cardioversions, is they put a cannula in the back of my hand and then the sedation which knocks me out like a light. Next thing I recall is hearing my name being said to awaken me. Takes a bit of time to come round fully.

Jean

[cicek in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you for the reassurance. I guess only spoke to the booking team today and will get much more information from the AF nurse.

[Gowers in reply to cicek]

I have had 3 under sedation. You will drift off to sleep & know nothing about it until you wake up feeling relaxed & happy when you realise how lovely it is to be back in NSR. After a few hours I was able to be picked up & driven home. Not allowed to drive for I think??? About a day or 2.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Gowers]

48 hours.

[Malmac]

Hi Cicek,

I had the same concerns as you especially for my first cardio version - didn’t remember a thing about it and had a great 3 hour sleep after it.

However, my second cardio version was more interesting - I was not quite ‘under’ and remember it all & in fact asked the nurses ‘is that it?’ ‘did it work?’

I think we are conditioned to programs like ‘casualty’ on TV where the body jumps off the table - our cardio versions are nothing like that - although I felt the second cardio version, it took all the fear away from me, knowing that they just give you enough current to shock your heart into rhythm.

So good luck, and don’t worry about it - I think the run up to it is worse than the actual event.

Happy Normal Sinus Rhythm!!!!

[Jonathan_C]

Ask the Anesthetist to use fentanyl. It gives an awesome buzz.

[Dick20]

They do sedate you and won't even know they done the cardioversion. I was sedated, had 2 cardioversions and woke up asking if they had started yet. Dont worry, they sedate you enough😍

[Fullofheart]

Agree with everyone else. You'll be asleep and unaware but because you are not under long you wake up feeling fine. I had no after effects like I do with anaesthetic. I was up and out before I knew it.

[Nybroc]

I had five cardioversions under anaesthetic which was fine but only two were successful largely due to my excess body weight. They decided an internal cardioversion was my best option. The electrical pads are introduced through an artery at the top of the thigh and applied directly to the heart. The electric pulse is not having to go through skin and muscle to get to the heart. Much better chance of success, particularly for the obese. I was sedated for this. The oddest of things, I remember the start of the procedure but not the whole thing, Certainly not the time when they shocked me. When I was back on the ward coming round from the sedative I could remember the whole thing including being shocked but that memory quickly faded. The odd thing, although I don't remember being shocked, I do remember remembering it. So I have a once removed memory of the event.

I went back into afib in less than a month. Another strange thing. It was nearly five months before I could get an appointment with the consultant. By this time I realised that although I was in afib I had very few debilitations. Nothing like those I had previously experienced. The consultant suggested considering having no further procedures and this is where I am seven years later. I am now classed as being in permanent afib. Not totally without symptoms but almost.

[Jajarunner]

It sedation but you won't remember a thing. I had another on Sunday, my seventh!!!!

[pusillanimous]

I had a very light sedation, just sufficient for me not to know what was going on -the only thing I recall after it is sitting up in bed having a drink and a sandwich. within a half an hour of having the 'shock' I was dressed and waiting for my lift home!

[Ecki]

I've only had one cardioversion, done under GA. It worked and put me into NSR but my kidneys took 2 days to wake up, resulting in a water weight gain of 12 lbs in those 2 days (water is heavy stuff!) followed by a horrendous UTI. No one seemed to know why this had happened and my cardiologists comment was that I'd had an exciting time! I suppose that's one way of looking at it.

[Subo1610]

My OH was terrified. Had read too much negativity. Staff on arrival were great with him . He felt chilled going down. Biggest upset, he was laying on a beach in the sun, he heard me calling him and he woke up to a nurse trying to rouse him 😂😂. And he only required one shock. Its heavy sedation so you will be out for it.

[Tapanac]

No worries. The sedation they give is much kinder to the lungs rather than a full blown anaesthetic. You won't feel a thing, I promise, and it is over so quickly. I've had 3 cardioversions and not known anything about them. In fact the last time (or it might have been the second time) when I came to (immediately and definitely no after effects) I was waiting for them to start and when they said all over I couldn't believe it. Good luck and try not to worry.

[Jimmy37]

Had several cardio verts , received a mild general not a sedation. What ever they call it ,you will be well in the land of nod and won’t feel a thing. Good luck!

[Snowgirl65]

I've had two and they were very quick and easy. I was sedated, briefly lost consciousness (sedated), and quickly woke up feeling on top of the world.

[Janith]

Had only one … l thought that it was fun and very interesting… no pain … nothing … and l haven’t had a significant afib attack since the procedure … l have PAF … I know it isn’t a cure but it feels that way for me. Mild sedative was given …. I would recommend the procedure.

[Gazza-id]

Hi

I had my first cardio version this morning at local hospital.

The anaesthetist explained that it says general anaesthetic on outpatient paperwork but is in fact heavy sedation because they do not want you out for too long.

My experience today was they administered the anaesthetic, I felt drowsy and then 15 minutes later was sat up having water, followed by coffee and toast.

It felt like when you watching TV and doze off; you wake up 15 mins later and don’t realise you have been asleep. Felt like a cat nap; except heart is back in rhythm 😀

Hope that helps

Gaz

[cicek in reply to Gazza-id]

Thank you so much for that. Hope you are doing OK and stay in sinus.

[Camille777]

I had cardioversion on Nov 3rd. My friend was waiting for me & brought a book to read. She said she just opened the book & heard my big mouth coming back down the hall. lol However, I can't believe some of you have had so many. I really need to find a new doctor. Mine lasted 3 days & afterward he said, "I didn't think it was going to work", which infuriated me. The longer you have AF, the more chances cardioversion won't work. Even though I was diagnosed a year ago, I suspect I've had it longer. But back to your question - no worries, it is short & sweet & hopefully, it will put you in NSR. Good luck!