First cardio version

[stethpg]

scheduled for this Friday at 7 a.m., a few questions:

1 how long is the procedure?

2 how long is the recovery before they send you home?

3 any special precautions after arriving home re exercise and or diet?

4 any other tips would be appreciated

[TazM]

Hi Stethpg. Mine lasted around an hour or so. All I recall is talking to the doctor and the anesthesiologist for a few seconds then waking up. They paddled me 3 times at 350 but I never went back into nsr. Because of that I stayed in er for 3 or 4 hours waiting for the drugs to lower my heart rate. When my hr lowered to 99 they sent me home.

Only instructions they gave me was to call 911 and come back if my hr got over 100.

They told me to rest and call my doctor.

Only advice I can give is don't worry about it. They put you under and when you wake it either worked or didn't.

Good luck.

[Hidden]

Just click on the link below and it should answer all your questions….good luck for tomorrow.

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

[Hidden]

Hello stetjhpg, you may find our 'Cardioversion of AF' booklet useful, you can find it here: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa... alongside many other resources regarding AF. Please feel free to contact our Patient Services Team (email: [e-mail]) if you would like any further information, advice or support following your Cardioversion, we are more than happy to help. Best of luck for Friday morning!

[CDreamer]

Loads of info for you to digest but my best tip is let yourself be looked after by the team.

Said many times on this forum but always worth repeating - in the recovery period go slow, go gradual and listen to your body. Recovery time is variable, for some it’s a matter of weeks whilst others take longer but the most important thing is to take home is that because the scars are on the inside of your heart, you can’t see them, they take time to heal so it’s not that unusual to have a few bumps before everything settles down.

Good luck and wishing you long lasting NSR.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to CDreamer]

CD she's having a cardioversion, not an ablation. x

[CDreamer in reply to jeanjeannie50]

My mistake - I think I replied to the wrong post😷

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to CDreamer]

I've done that many times, answered a post as though I thought it was about an ablation. Then noticed in the nick of time that it was re a cardioversion.

[CyclistMark]

I’ve had 4 so far.

If you have a hairy chest, they’ll shave some areas so that the paddles where the current is delivered adhere properly. You’ll be under general anaesthetic for a short time, usually no more than 30 minutes. You may feel a little groggy when you come round but you’ll be put into a rest area for a couple of hours, have tea and biscuits and then go home, assuming it’s a straight forward revert back into sinus rhythm and your blood pressure etc is ok.

You will need someone to pick you up as they won’t allow driving on the day after procedure. They’ll explain all that to you before and after.

Just try and rest for a few days afterwards. I think the main advice was to restrict caffeine intake if at all possible to no more than 2 or 3 cups of coffee a day

[jeanjeannie50]

A cardioversion takes seconds to perform. I'd turn up for my appointment to find about 8 others have all been given the same time. We sit on chairs and wait our turn. When we're called in (my hospital use a mini ward with beds). You put on a gown and relax on the bed until its your turn. About three medics come along, one wheeling the machine, all laughing and chatting, letting you join in (bit like a party at times). You're given an anaesthetic through a cannula in the back of your hand, drop off to sleep, then zapped with the machine and that's it. One zap has always put me back into normal rhythm. You do a lot of sitting around waiting for your turn and when you come out of the anaesthetic by hearing someone calling your name it's like being wakened from a deep sleep. You are then given a drink and something to eat like a biscuit or toast, then you get dressed and off you go home, hopefully back in normal sinus rhythm. You are not allowed to drive for 24hrs, so you need someone to pick you up.

Please trust me when I say there is not a lot to it. Don't make a fuss now, or you will feel embarrassed after you see how easy they are. I've had lots and actually love them.

Be aware that it's wise not to do anything energetic during the first few weeks afterwards to allow the muscles of your heart to gain strength beating in normal rhythm. I once walked up a very steep hill the day after having one and went straight back into AF!

I would avoid alcohol and large meals too.

Jean

[ObiDyer in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Echoes my experience too.. the procedure takes no time at all. Got to hospital at 7:30am heading home at 12 noon. Still on sotalol to reinforce the rhythm and advised to go easy for some weeks so the heart can relearn how to beat properly. I was on persistent AF for 6 months, which was really debilitating, so I have lost muscle mass and condition which I need to regain, so my overall recovery is pretty slow but others seem to bounce back very quickly. Like much about AF it seems everyone is different! However the DCCV is a doddle.

[Bagrat]

I've only had one and it was on the day I was diagnosed. Admitted 1.30am. Had 2 iv drugs ( second amiodarone) No effect would have needed central line for more amiodarone so sat in A and E. Given nicecup of tea at 7.30am which delayed cardioversion till afternoon. Worst part was, the nurse looking after us had been out with me for the day when I was working and regaled all other patients with what a lot she had learned. Home very soon after and felt great!!

[Fullofheart]

I'm in the UK, but my experience was that you're in longer for the prep than for the recovery...couple of hours either way. Didn't feel a thing and such a short time "under" that recovery is very quick. I felt fine after, but don't over do it!!They'll give you instructions to go home with but generally just take it easy and avoid potential triggers.

[charley1953]

Hi, i had one done in January. I had mine done whilst i was already on the ward. One minute i was joking with the nurses and the next thing i saw was a nurse at the end of my bed. It was absolutely fine and after a cup of tea and a sandwich and final checks, i was on my way home. I was told after that i swore out loud "oh bugger that hurt" Gave them a laugh. I felt great the next day and have had no problems. All the best 🙂

[riffjack846]

I've had 2 of them and both times I was back in NSR in 20 minutes and was released after 45 minutes. When it comes to diet try and stay away from your triggers. Mine were sports drinks and tomato based sauces from cans. Needless to say I'm scheduled for an ablation in Sept. because I started getting recurrent Afib attacks weeks after the Cardioversion. Wishing you the best of luck. Mike

[stethpg in reply to riffjack846]

Thanks Mike