Question 1

What are the differences between asynchronous and synchronous cardioversion?

Accepted Answer

Synchronous is when the shock is delivered on the qrs portion of the heart cycle - it is when the heart depolarises.  Asynchronous cardioversion can occur anywhere on the heart cycle.

Question 2

What is the difference between cardioversion and pacing?

Accepted Answer

Cardioversion is usually a single large shock delivered to the heart during an arrhythmia to stop it and let it restart with a normal rhythm. Pacing is small shocks applied to restore normal timing to the cardiac events, especially when the intrinsic rate/rhythm are too slow.

Question 3

What is the difference between cardioversion and tee cardioversion?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes we do a TEE(transesophageal echo) before a cardioversion to be sure there are no clots in the left atrium or appendage before we do the cardioversion.

Question 4

Is there a difference between cardioversion and defibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Cardioversion encompasses defibrillation.  Technically, if one is not in a fibrillating rhythm, the proper term for the act of delivering a shock to convert the rhythm back to normal is cardioversion, not defibrillation.  In practice, the two terms are often used interchangeably however.

Question 5

What is the difference between cardioversion and transcutaneous pacing?

Accepted Answer

Cardioversion is the process of converting an abnormal cardiac rhythm to normal. It encompasses any means of doing that. Transcutaneous pacing is an electrical procedure to deliver a stimulus to the heart to make its rhythm follow the stimulus, the stimulus is delivered in this case thruogh the skin.

Question 6

How long is a cardioversion?

Accepted Answer

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 7

Can cardioversion result in death?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

What disorders can cardioversion be used to treat?

Accepted Answer

Cardioversion can convert most ventricular arrhythmias (i.e. Originating from bottom part of the heart) to normal rhythm, and several supraventricular (i.e. From top part of the heart). Atrial fibrillation is the most commonly cardioverted rhythm, with very high success rates. Other supraventricular rhythms (e.g. Psvt, atrial tachycardia, avnrt) can also be treated, though not as reliably.

Question 9

Can you tell me the pros and cons of cardioversion?

Accepted Answer

I'm assuming you are referring to cardioversion for af. The benefits of cardioversion are the restoration of normal rhythm. The risks are: (1) stroke (must be anticoagulated before the procedure) (2) won't work (many patients will go back into af either immediately or over time; meds may help this) (3) pain (short, general anesthesia is usually used).

Question 10

What medications should you stop prior to a cardioversion?

Accepted Answer

There are no medications that routinely must be stopped prior to cardioversion. However, in certain cases, your doctor might wish you to hold meds that control heart rates from going too fast, to minimize the risk of causing excessively slow heart rates once you are back in a normal rhythm.

What are the differences between asynchronous and synchronous cardioversion