Cardioversion

[Raluke]

Just wanted to share my experience of this procedure in case anyone out there is as nervous about it as I was. I had been in Fast AF for almost a year and although medication was helping my symptoms it wasn't knocking me back into sinus rhymn and so cardioversion was recommended. I had to report to my local hospital for 8am where a well oiled, very friendly, team took me through the procedure. I had a butterfly needle placed in my arm and they took an ecg and did the regular observations, then I had a quick chat with the anaethatist who explained exactly what was going to happen. I then walked down to the treatment room where they put on two pads, one on my back and one over my heart, the gel on these is very cold. These are what deliver the charge. I was then asked to lay on the bed and given a little oxygen as I was placed under a general anaesthetic for 5 minutes whilst they shocked my heart back into normal rhythm. I was told they can try three times, but mine went back first time. By 9:30am I was back on the day ward, with toast and a drink waiting for me. Coming too from the anaesthetic was very quick and left no groggy after effects. I had slightly sore patch on my front and back, where they attatched the pads which administer the shock, but I've had spots that hurt worse. I was collected by my family at 12:30pm and sat at home on the sofa by 1pm. I felt a little sore and tired for a day, and was advised not to drive for 24 hours, but very quickly thereafter I felt much better than I had done for the year before hand. In short I would say if you are offered cardioversion, don't let the idea scare you off.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am really pleased everything went so well

A good post as you say to give anyone that finds they need this done and feeling nervous that you have shared your positive experience

Hope you have had a lovely day x

[TedSpaniel]

Great post and I would echo the fact it’s not that scary, apart from the consultant measuring me, just in case with tubes to shove down my throat in a worse case scenario. Also the fact it was the junior doctors first go at it. BUT, the consultant was there as well as another doctor and the Cardioversion team. I can’t remember how many nurses I saw there were plenty of staff and they were so kind and caring to me and my wife.

In-fact it didn’t really hit me until a couple of days later. My wife was working on heart ward at the time. A consultant spoke to her when she returned to work after a day or so off. He looked at my records and his comment was it was good you got him in when you did ! If I need it again in the future it’s fine by me, it’s the treatment required and a means to an end.

[Ludham]

very interesting. I have had two cardioversions and each time they did it intravenously through my groin.was not aware that they still used pads externally. Wish you well

[Sweetmelody]

My experiences have been the same as you describe—when done at the hospital in the cardiac unit by appointment under a cardiologist’s supervision and with an experienced support team, well-oiled as you say. I’ve had five CV’s in that circumstance, all five a breeze. It’s good that you tell of your experience in such unalarming detail for those going into a CV for the first time.

My other two CV’s have been at ER’s. Stressful. They worked out okay, but if at all possible, if one is in need of a CV, do it with cardiology specialists even if it means a delay until one can get an appointment. It makes for a much more pleasant and reassuring experience.