Question 1

i am due to have a cardioversion for afib, how long after the procedure is it safe to fly. i have an 11 hour flight booked. ?

Accepted Answer

Cardioversion: Whether the elective cardioversion is effective or not, as long as there has been no new heart injury and as long as you remain on anticoagulants and whatever antiarrythmic medications prescribed, there should be no problem with flying or travelling after a couple of days in my opinion. However your cardiologist is best qualified to advise you about this matter. Get up and walk around the plane.

Question 2

who can have cardioversion?

Accepted Answer

Almost anyone: If there is any compromise in bp, consciousness, breathing, anyone can be cardioverted.  If more chronic, then making sure there is a low probability of a clot inside the heart (that could be disrupted and cause an embolic event), sorting the need for prophylactic blood thinning to avoid a clot, making sure the atria (upper heart chambers) are not too large (reduced success) help select patients.

Question 3

how long is a cardioversion?

Accepted Answer

Less than 30 minutes: Sedation is given to the patient and an electrical shock is then given to cardiovert the heart back into a regular rhythym.This procedure usually is quite guick lasting in total 30 minutes or less. Delivery of the shock takes 2 seconds and then waiting to see if the rhythym has converted from one shock or reguires several more takes time. Time is then needed for the patient to be fully awake.

Question 4

what is a sync cardioversion?

Accepted Answer

Shock synchronized: The electric shock is synchronized to the heart beat to avoid shocking at the wrong time in the cycle which could make problems worse.

Question 5

how risky is a cardioversion?

Accepted Answer

Low Risk: This is a very low risk procedure if proceeded by a tee, transesophogael echocardiogram.

Question 6

can cardioversion result in death?

Accepted Answer

Yes: There are complications of cardioversion such as stroke or rhythm problems that rarely could result in death.

Question 7

what is synchronized cardioversion?

Accepted Answer

QRS: I think you mean 'synchronous'. Synchronous cardioversion is when the shock is delivered on the qrs portion of the heart cycle - it is when the heart depolarises.

Question 8

cardioversion wont work on me. why?

Accepted Answer

Cardioversoin: Electrical cardioversion doesn't work in every situation and for instance atrial fibrillation with a very large left atrium is very difficult to cardiovert. Depends on what your situation is...

Question 9

how is a cardioversion administered?

Accepted Answer

Depends: In emergeny, it is given as soon as possible to save life. During elective case, patient will be sedated and comfortable, before electric energy is delivered through pads on the chest wall. Most people do not have pain or remember the electric shock.

Question 10

when is synchronized cardioversion used?

Accepted Answer

Flutter & AF: Mostly for flutter and atrial fibrillation.

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Doctor answers about:

Flying after cardioversion

A member asked:

I am due to have a cardioversion for afib, how long after the procedure is it safe to fly. i have an 11 hour flight booked. ?

A member asked:

Who can have cardioversion?

A member asked:

How long is a cardioversion?

A member asked:

What is a sync cardioversion?

A member asked:

How risky is a cardioversion?

A member asked:

Can cardioversion result in death?

A member asked:

What is synchronized cardioversion?

A member asked:

Cardioversion wont work on me. why?

A member asked:

How is a cardioversion administered?

A member asked:

When is synchronized cardioversion used?

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