I have just returned from a Arrythamia Pre Assessment Clinic with an appointmment on 27 sept for a DC Cardioversion. I have arrythmia but no ongoing symptoms having been put on blood thiners and beta blockers. My Echo did not show any issues.
I have the consent form which talks about the risks of complications including stroke. I am worried about having the procedure and a possible stroke when I have no symptoms, Has anyone else had the same issues?
Cardioversions are a very safe procedure widely carried out but like all procedures do carry some risks, albeit rarely, and these do have to be brought to your attention.
You have been put on anticoagulants and your Echo shows nothing untoward so that is a good start.
If I tell you that I've had a grand total of 28 dc cardioversions ( over 30 years) , my last one being in June this year, does that make you feel any easier?!😀 I didn't have time to do alot of worrying as my rate was too fast to stay in very long.
You will be very well looked after during the procedure so try not to worry too much.
It's very dependent on your own health, no two of us are alike. I had very symptomatic paroxysmal AF which became asymptomatic persistent AF. At the time I didn't know it was because of a medication I was prescribed for another health issue. There was a discussion about cardioversion and I asked why I should have one when I was pretty much symptom free. That was within weeks of the change. Sadly I then started to get more symptoms so requested to go on the list for a cardioversion.Before I reached the top of the list I realised that it was very likely the medication, so the decision was made to stop it, and review in 6 - 8 weeks. It's one of those meds that takes between 4 and 6 weeks for changes to show so I was really surprised to find I was back in NSR one week later.
I think you need to assess how you feel, how fast your HR is during an episode, how long it lasts, etc, and take it from there.
Thanks for your reassurance. I have no symptoms other than iregular HR but I feel nothing wrong. The fear of a stroke terifies me but sounds like its rare. Hope you are OK
To be honest I think, if you feel ok and are just aware of the irregular heartbeat, it could be taken as just how low the risks are during a cardioversion.As I understand it with any procedure they have to assess the benefits against the risk, and clearly you don't feel rotten when in AF so if the risks were significant they probably wouldn't offer it.
I’ve had nine cardioversions. I’m on blood thinners. If there is the slightest concern among your providers about a stroke, a transesophogeal echocardiogram (TEE) will be performed prior to the CV to make sure there are no clots lurking about. The risk of stroke comes, in my understanding, from an existing clot breaking loose, but on blood thinners that’s extremely unlikely. My providers will not do a CV without a TEE if I have missed one dose of Eliquis in the previous 30 days. It’s required for providers to inform a patient of the worst possible outcomes. If I let that scare me away, I would not get the procedures that improve my health and QOL. Statistically the worst possible outcomes for a CV, like a stroke, are low enough to be practically negligible if you’re in the right hands and on the right protocol. Good luck!
Thanks for your reassurance, Sometime I wish they didnt tell me ???? Hope you are OK
Tests 
INR levels - how do you stabilise them! 
Take it easy v exercise
Question on risks 
Cardioversion?
