CA
A 24-year-old member asked:
Who can have cardioversion?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Irv Lohanswered
Cardiology 50 years experience
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.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 43-year-old member asked:
How risky is a cardioversion?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Charles Jostanswered
Cardiology 37 years experience
Low Risk: This is a very low risk procedure if proceeded by a tee, transesophogael echocardiogram.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:
How long is a cardioversion?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Bradley Radwaneranswered
Cardiology 42 years experience
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.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
What is the function of an cardioversion?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Charles Jostanswered
Cardiology 37 years experience
Restore: Restore regular heart rate and rhythm and to restore synchrony of the heart.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
PA
A 22-year-old female asked:
Can a cardioversion kill you?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. John Garneranswered
Cardiology 17 years experience
Unlikely: This is extremely unlikely. The worst-case scenario for a cardioversion is usually that it creates a worse rhythm. However, such a rhythm is in fact treated by (wait for it) a cardioversion, so you're already set up for the treatment.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 36-year-old member asked:
What is synchronized cardioversion?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Charles Jostanswered
Cardiology 37 years experience
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.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jul 25, 2018
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