Cardioversion

[Deezy24]

Hi I have now had my longest episode of AF and been to see consultant today and he says I am to go on meds to thin my blood for four weeks and then have a cardioversion. Am terrified of the thought of it? Can anyone help please? Thanks

[Jalia]

You really have nothing to be frightened of but I understand your feelings.

I have just had my 20th ( or 21st.. lost track!) this afternoon.

I remember the scarey feelings in the beginning all too well. You will be well looked after and it is all over with very quickly. You will be well sedated so you won't feel a thing .

Ask any questions if there is any particular aspect that concerns you.

J

[Deezy24 in reply to Jalia]

Thanks Jalia. How long are you out for and how do you feel when you come round? Sorry all these questions btw but I’m told it’s done by a nurse so are you in a theatre?

[Jalia in reply to Deezy24]

Mine have always been done by doc. There has always been a consultant present and if he didn't do it he was instructing junior doc. Plus of course an anaesthetist would be in attendance to administer sedation.

I understand that some nurses do perform these but they would be very experienced so don't worry on that score.

They are actually done in a theatre anteroom but also in a Cath lab or even in A&E ( I've had 2 there)

You are only out for a few mins and should feel fine when you come round. Normally just heavy sedation is used and 2 foam (plastic?) pads put on your chest and/or back with electrodes attached. A big improvement on the metal paddles used during my early dccvs 27 years ago🙄

[Deezy24 in reply to Jalia]

Can you go straight home or dyu have to stay in for a bit and can you go to work the next day? Thanks for taking the time to answer me btw.

[Jalia in reply to Deezy24]

You will rest for an hour or maybe 2 and are normally allowed home then . They usually like someone to collect you. You are not allowed to drive for 24 hours after procedure.

You may feel like going to work the next day..it depends what your work is. I think you would be better having a day or so off if possible. I often feel a little fragile , for want of a better word , in the couple of days following the procedure. Today I was told to take it easy for 2/3 days.

[TinCool in reply to Jalia]

I've had three cardioversions done in A&E. The three episodes of Afib I've had were accompanied by a racing heart beat upwards of 200bpm and totally erratic. My experience of them is similar to what Jalia described. Two pads on either side of your chest. The doc (or whoever it may be) administers the sedation and you just drift off. The next moment you wake up and hopefully you're back in NSR. You're only out for a few minutes.

The first CV I had 7 years ago, my chest was rather sore for several days afterwards. Muscle type pain. The other 2 which I had in the past 18 months, I had no pain. I assume the first one I had they had shocked me more than once to get me back in to NSR. Each time they do it they increase the volts. I think they try 3 times. At least that's what the doc told me when I asked him the last time. Thankfully I've been fine since the last one Jan-2019. I just take a small dose betablocker each morning and that has kept me in good.

I always felt fine the following day and returned to work. I'm in IT so sit in front of a PC for most of the day.

[HamishBoxer]

Yes,they will not do the procedure without the anti coagulants.It is very often is successful.

Famous words,try not to worry over much.

[MoundMan]

Have undergone several cardioversions. All went well. Back in rhythm immediately. Under anesthesia a very short time. Recovery was instantaneous. Home an hour or two later. Sidebar: My AF was of the slow-beat version; not the rapid.