Cardioversion

[TheGrinch2]

I was diagnosed with afib in December last year in A/E since then had ecg ,and ecocardiogram, waiting to see a cardiologist. Got results from G.P saying leaky valves.But today got a surprise phone call from cardiology department saying a cardiologist had referred me for cardioversion in April .Does anyone know if this is procedure before even seeing or speaking to anyone.

[BobD Volunteer]

Cardioversion or DCCV is a way of hopefully resetting your heart rhythm to normal sinus rhythm.(NSR)

It involves you being sedated while pads are placed on your chest (or chest and back) and electric current passed to shock your heart back into order. It is a common and for the most part safe procedure carried out under medical supervision which aims to see if you can be returned to NSR and if you feel better in such state and thus direct possible future treatment.

[jeanjeannie50]

All doctors need to see is your ECG and echocardiogram to understand the way your heart is beating and will then decide what's needed. I'm guessing that you are in constant AF?

I've had numerous cardioversions and can assure you there's nothing to the procedure. I actually like having them because they make me feel instantly better. The following is what I've experienced:

You go to the hospital and surprisingly about 5 other people have all been given the same time of 8am for their procedure. You sit around waiting for about an hour for your turn. You go in to a small ward, get undressed and put on one of their gowns. You lie on a bed and someone comes along, and puts a cannula in the back of your hand and you're wired up to a machine that shows your heart rate. The team turn up all bright and happy (doc and some nurses). You have the GA injected into your cannula, are zapped and then wake up a few minutes later and for me I'm always back in normal sinus rhythm. The feeling of joy is like no other and gratitude to everyone involved sweeps over me - honestly I could kiss their feet!

At my hospital they want you to eat some toast and have a cup of tea before leaving, that's it! They tell you that you need to have someone with you for the next 24hrs and are told not to sign any documents during that time.

A word of warning though. Afterwards don't exert yourself or do anything to raise your heart rate for a week or two, no walking up hills, or lifting anything heavy. Allow your heart to gain strength beating at it's correct rate. I once made the mistake of walking up a steep hill the day after a cardioversion and my heart went straight back into AF. Too late then to wish you hadn't done that. Oh, no alcohol, or large meals for a while after either.

Best wishes

Jean

[TheGrinch2 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for that info.

[TheGrinch2 in reply to TheGrinch2]

Only thing I don't get is if meds are working, why give cardioversion without even seeing patient

[Ossie7 in reply to TheGrinch2]

Hello , are you in persistent AF , or is it coming and going ? I have had 3 electrical cardioversions , only when in persistent AF . I had to wait a good 6 months for my first , but sooner is so much better .

[TheGrinch2 in reply to Ossie7]

I don't know, sometimes feel it but not sure,GP says meds are fine and pulse is fine.Not even seen cardiologist yet.Just got call ??maybe egc showed permanent afib but only been on meds couple of weeks then

[Ossie7 in reply to TheGrinch2]

mmm, that is a little confusing if you are not in persistent AF , as the cardioversion is only done when in an irregular rhythm to convert it to normal or ‘sinus ‘ rhythm .

You may have converted back naturally , which is great .

[Ossie7 in reply to Ossie7]

or with the medication that you are on , although you havent stated what they are

[TheGrinch2 in reply to Ossie7]

I'm on Edoxaban and 2.5 might of bisoprolol. Apparently heard that cardiologist advised cardioversion because it's a 7 months wait to see him.Ive no idea if I'm in persistent afib or not.G.P said this morning when I spoke to him in confusion, said, my pulse was fine and meds okay,who knows,no idea what to do.

[TheGrinch2 in reply to Ossie7]

Maybe cardiologist saw permanent afib on egc monitor back in December, when meds first started, it's confusing and stressful.

[Ossie7 in reply to TheGrinch2]

try not to worry and stress as this can bring on an episode of AF . It sounds as if you have paroxysmal , not persistent AF if your pulse was regular . This is good news and as long as you stay out of AF the cardioversion won’t actually be required . How to try and see someone to confirm this I don’t know because as you say it’s impossible to see anyone with huge waiting lists etc . You could try and contact the arrhythmia team at the hospital and explain that you require an ecg to confirm that you are still in AF . Going forward a lot of folks on this forum did have to pay privately to see a cardiologist , myself included due to long waits . So many times , before my AF became persistent I was on my way to the urgent care centre and I would flip back into sinus as I walked through the door !!

[TheGrinch2 in reply to Ossie7]

Thanks so much for your advice and information much appreciated. I will try not to stress as I know it doesn't help. Sorry to hear of your experiences, and glad to hear that you are 👍

[Ossie7 in reply to TheGrinch2]

I am good at the moment following my 3rd cardioversion but heart rate being controlled by both rate and rhythm drugs . On waiting list for a 3rd ablation ! X

[TheGrinch2 in reply to Ossie7]

Sincerely wish you well

[Desanthony in reply to TheGrinch2]

That's brilliant! How I wish that had happened to me! The cardioversion will also show if further treatments could be used successfully and depending on age and other conditions you have you could probably stop at least one of the medications you are on. The sooner this is done in permanent AF the better as AF is a progressive disease and your heart will re model it self the longer you are in AF and then other treatments such as cardioversion or ablation will be offered.

[Ppiman]

A cardiologist gains useful information knowing if the cardioversion has any effect, I believe.

I think very many people have some degree of valvular wear and tear as they get older.

Steve