Cardioversion?

[Freshorangejuice]

Hi all, I know there is a lot of information available about cardioversion but I would be interested in people's experiences of this procedure as I've been advised to have it. Reading some of the past posts on this subject I'm aware some have been incredibly successful but some have not even after repeated attempts.. I'd also like to know what the procedure is like: is it painful; any after effects; are you given a general anaesthetic etc?Thank you

[Jalia]

You're probably speaking to the right person here as I've had a grand total of 28 dc cardioversions over 30+ years.

All of mine were successful. Most lasted 12 months , some 6 months and a couple 3/4+ years.

You will receive either heavy sedation or General Anaesthetic.. You should not be aware of any pain.

The procedure itself lasts about 10 minutes.

You will have 2 sticky pads attached to your chest area ...or one on chest and one on back....to which electrodes are attached . Plus of course 12 lead ecg monitor and BP cuff. You will have a cannula inserted into a vein in your arm or hand to receive the sedation etc

I've always felt very well looked after when I've had my procedures. Afterwards there has always been a great sense of relief to be back in a normal rhythm. Some people get a slight burn mark on the area where the pads are put but a little E45 cream or similar soon gives relief . I've only had this twice, I think, in my history.

You should normally be able to leave hospital a few hours after the procedure but should not drive for 24 hours. Its advisable to take it easy over the following few days however buoyant you may feel!

Best of luck to you!

[Freshorangejuice in reply to Jalia]

Thank you for your reply. It's very reassuring.

[SaxmanAD in reply to Jalia]

Hi,I think Jalia has explained a perfect example .From my experience the hair removal has been the biggest challenge prior to my cardio versions. I've had 5 over the last 2 years & all have been successful. Best wishes🙏

[Prothy in reply to Jalia]

Great explanation Julia 🙌🏻

[Billett in reply to Jalia]

I had one 3 months back it was quite easy procedure they put you under for 10 mins shock you and with a bit of luck you go back into sinus rhythm and relax for 2 hrs a cup of tea and a sandwich then go home take it easy for 24 hrs thats about it

[Jalia in reply to Billett]

I'm lucky if I get a cup of tea these days !😅

[Billett in reply to Jalia]

Hahaha

[Nige-s]

hi, i had 3 in 18 months and they didn’t work, I eventually had to have an ablation, 3 of those aswell, you have a local anaesthetic and you are ‘shocked’ no pain and no after effects, all very easy and painless.🙂

[Giant68]

I had cardioversion last November. I was mildly sedated for it but, to be honest, I fell asleep and new nothing about it. I am waiting to see my cardiologist, next month, as it seems it may have failed now. I'm also waiting for an AV node ablation.

Regards

Giant68

[Grannypat65]

Hi I have had two now, the first was successful and I was a fib free for a year. The second I had this year in February. That was unsuccessful and seemed to make my A . Fib worse as I'm still in A. FIB and waiting for an ablation. It is normally done with a mild sedation and you don't remember it. No pain just slight discomfort and mild bruising sometimes. Nothing to worry about. Good Luck..

[Driver11]

There is no guarantee with any procedure However you do have anesthetist and are out

I found that where the paddles touch your chest and back is like having sun burn so I suggest using soothing cream

Good luck you'll be fine

[WoodlandLover]

Hi there. I've had 2 cardioversions for extreme AFibs and have only ever found them helpful. They do give you a GA which is short lasting, and which I found to be a refreshing opportunity to get right away from it all, each time, feeling incredibly peaceful when I woke up!! Both times my heart rate had been restored to normal and after a couple of hours observation I was home as if it had never happened. I took it easy on the day but was OK to carry on as normal the next day. On two other occasions I was hospitalised with AFibs, and was given a tweaked dose of beta blockers, which did restore normality without the electronic cardio, though I'd been willing to have it. It's not been anything to worry about, in my experience.I'm female, had the first cardioversion at 68. Am 70 now, and about to have surgery to repair what's causing mine.

Best of good luck to you.

[WingCommander2021]

Hello. I had a cardioversion in December 2022. You are sedated enough that it’s similar to a general anaesthetic. The nurse said it went back to sinus rhythm straight away and it’s stayed like that ever since. I didn’t even have much in the way of soreness afterwards although I did bite my lip during the procedure. I still get a few flutters where I feel I’m in Afib again but apart from that it’s been a big success. I exercise nearly every day and I have given up alcohol since August 23. Hope yours is a success.

[Bramley01]

please don’t stress about the procedure, I’ve had 2, I was given sedation, fell asleep and I knew or felt absolutely nothing

[Ecki]

I've had one cardioversion, in October 2019. I was given a GA, the cardioversion worked and it was a huge relief to be back in NSR. I was sent home about 6 hours later. However, my kidneys took 3 days to wake up. I was told to drink lots of water to get them going. I put on 12 lbs in those 3 days from all the water and then got a horrendous UTI due to all the bacteria in my bladder not being flushed out. Needed 2 lots of antibiotics to get rid of the UTI but my heart was fine.

[ChasNick]

Hi I have 2 cardioversion, both when in my 80s No problem with the shock treatment, no pain, in a deep sleep. but each time my blader gave out

[Eric_]

Hi, as everyone says, there is a few minutes of a little prep to put on the pads front and back. Then they put you to sleep with a small anesthetic. Next thing you know you are all done! I had three over 14 yrs and am 70 at the moment. Good luck 🙂

[Reggaelover]

Hi Freshorangejuice,

I’m 64 and have had cardioversion twice to restore normal heart rhythm following episodes of persistent atrial fibrillation in 2015 and 2022. The AF was triggered by competitive distance running and a leaky mitral valve. I had surgery to repair my leaky valve in April this year.

The cardioversion procedure is pretty straightforward and I had no pain or discomfort whatsoever. I was able to go home within a couple of hours of having the procedure. I had pads placed on my chest and back and a cannula was inserted into a blood vessel on my hand. I was then given a general anaesthetic - although you are only out for a few minutes. During the procedure you’re given an electric shock, which stops your heart - then when it restarts, it does so in a normal sinus rhythm. Once you come round from the anaesthetic, you can have a cuppa and then you’re discharged.

My first cardioversion worked for 7 years and my second one kept me in normal rhythm until my surgery and beyond. Best of luck with your cardioversion and try not to worry.

[DJStanto]

I had a cardioversion procedure a couple of years ago for AF caused by a thyroid problem. I went in as a day case (outpatients). They explained the procedure, and then gave me heavy sedation which knocked me out completely. The procedure took about 10 minutes and involved giving me shocks through chest electrodes. They shocked me three times and were successful on the third attempt when I went back into normal sinus rhythm. The only after effect of the procedure were round burn marks on my chest where the pads were attached although these were not painful and faded after a couple of days. The procedure was very successful and I have been in normal sinus rhythm ever since.

[dg2024]

I had Cardioversion 10 years ago and it resolved my atrial fibrillation. It does need to be done relatively soon after the onset of atrial fibrillation otherwise the success of Cardioversion is reduced. E.g. within 1 month or so. My atrial fibrillation has never come back since. Performed for me in intensive care in an afternoon under general anaesthetic. I am not a medical professional just a patient.

[Jalia in reply to dg2024]

Good to hear that your dccv has lasted 10 years. We don't often hear that and it is encouraging to others.

Best wishes

J

[Rustyoldperson]

hi fresh orange juice yu had AF back in May 2020 I was 76 , in July about 6 or 7 weeks After went back in with chest pains I had an angiogram and a stent fitted in my left ventricul , I was then told that I have heart failure which was scary to be told that , some time later I went back in for day surgery to have a cardio version I was knocked out for know time at all they stop your heart momentarily then shock it back into SR apart from my breathing om for years in and hopefully will be around for sometime yet , don’t worry about it as I’m sure it will be fine incidentally I also have an IVD fitted as I was told that I am at risk of cardiac arrest . Hope all goes well for you .

[Freshorangejuice]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their replies. All very reassuring. Here's hoping the AF will disappear!