Cardioversion

Electrical cardioversion is a brief procedure where a controlled electric shock is delivered to your heart through pads placed on your chest. This “reset” momentarily stops the chaotic electrical activity of AFib, allowing your heart’s natural pacemaker to take back control and restore a normal sinus rhythm.

This educational video has been chosen by our cardiology team. Suggested or related videos displayed by the video provider are outside of our control and do not represent the views or endorsements of our physicians or clinic.

Your physician may suggest cardioversion if:

• Your AFib symptoms (like palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue) are affecting your quality of life.
• Your heart rate is difficult to control with standard medications.
• This is a new diagnosis, and your doctor wants to see if your heart can maintain a normal rhythm.

The procedure is typically scheduled as an “outpatient” visit, meaning you usually go home the same day.

1. Preparation: You will be given a very short-lasting sedative or light anesthesia through an IV. You will be asleep briefly and will not feel the shock.
2. The Shock: Once you are sedated, the doctor uses a machine (defibrillator) to send a quick, synchronized energy pulse to your heart via sticky pads on your chest and back.
3. Monitoring: The entire electrical part takes only a few seconds. We will monitor your heart rhythm and blood pressure closely as you wake up.
4. Recovery: You’ll stay in a recovery area for an hour or two until the sedation wears off. Because of the anesthesia, you will need someone to drive you home.

This educational video has been chosen by our cardiology team. Suggested or related videos displayed by the video provider are outside of our control and do not represent the views or endorsements of our physicians or clinic.

It is vital to understand the goal of this procedure: Cardioversion is a “reset” button, not a permanent fix.

While the procedure is very successful at restoring a normal rhythm immediately, it does not treat the underlying “short-circuiting” or triggers that caused the AFib in the first place.

The Bottom Line: Without additional intervention, there is a high likelihood that your heart will slip back into Atrial Fibrillation in the near future.

To keep your heart in a normal rhythm after a cardioversion, your doctor will likely discuss a long-term management plan, which may include:

• Antiarrhythmic Medications: Daily rhythm-control drugs to help keep the heart’s electrical system stable.
• Catheter Ablation: A procedure to eliminate the specific areas of heart tissue that trigger AFib.
• Lifestyle Changes: Managing blood pressure, sleep apnea, diet, exercise, weight management and alcohol intake to reduce chance of AFib recurrence.

PRE-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS 

• You must be on a blood thinner for at least 3 weeks prior to your procedure without interruption or missed doses.
  • Please notify our clinical staff if you’ve missed a dose.
• Nothing to eat or drink (NPO) after midnight the night before your procedure (you may take your morning medications with a small sip of water).
• Please bring a copy of your current medication list to the hospital.

DAY OF PROCEDURE 

• Report to the Main Registration Desk at El Camino Hospital. ***Please note: You will be notified of any scheduling changes.
  • El Camino Hospital, 2500 Grant Road, Mountain View, CA 94040 (650)940-7000
• The Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) will be done right before the cardioversion.
• You will be discharged from the hospital ~1-2 hours after your procedure. You MUST arrange for a responsible adult, such as a family member or friend, to accompany you and drive you home from the hospital following your procedure.

POST PROCEDURE 

• DO NOT drive for 24 hours post cardioversion
• You should have a post-op appointment scheduled with your electrophysiologist already, about 7-11 days after your procedure.

If you have any questions, please contact our office at (650) 853-2975, Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm.