First cardioversion

I am having first cardioversion this week and not sure what to expect. Had triple bypass in 2017band feel fine. A few months ago had some lightheaded spells and was found to have afib. Now on eliquis in addition to my other meds and feel better. Although can sometimes still have a bout of faintness and tiredness. I never have tachycardia or feel my heart racing. My Kardio mobile always registers possible atrial fibrillation with heart rate between 70 to 84 bpm. A few friends state having cardioversion and was no big deal. They also state their afib came back later. My physician states it can be a long term fix. Wondering what to expect and how long to rest afterwards. Thanks for your support.

It's a very easy, very quick procedure. They'll start an IV, put ECG electrodes on your chest and also two large pads. When everything is ready, they'll administer an anesthetic through the IV (likely propofol). Once you're out, they'll hit the button and shock you. You'll be completely unaware of this happening. With luck, that one shock will return you to normal rhythm and then they'll just wait and let the anesthesia wear off. If they used propofol, that will only take minutes and you should be clear headed and feeling perfectly normal with 20-30 minutes. If the single shock doesn't do it, they'll administer up to two more, raising the power level each time. If three doesn't do it, they will probably quit trying, but in most cases a single shock will do the job.

You should feel perfectly fine afterwards. No need to take any special precautions other than no driving, etc. for 24 hours due to the anesthesia.

PS- In some facilities they prefer not to use anesthesia and prefer conscious sedation instead. If that's' what they want to do, I would urge you to push for anesthesia.

It’s quite easy and quick. They hold you for observation for 30 minutes afterwards and then you go home.

I hold the record here of 54. Think how great you will feel in NSR afterwards.

Good luck.

I’ve had two cardioversions and both were successful in putting me back into rhythm. Yes, my afib returned some months after the first cardioversion. Having just had my second one, I have an ablation scheduled in April. For me, the cardioversion procedures were no big deal. You lie down and they put you to sleep. Then you wake up with, one hopes, your heart in rhythm again.

I have had one colonoscopy and four cardioversions. They are almost identical in terms of the 'involvement', but a cardioversion should be quite a bit faster as Carey suggests...depending on the wait time after triage, and on any possible complications arising, for which the risk is very low.

For two of the four experiences, the team included an RT (respiratory therapist) to help monitor my airway, maybe because they read in my file that I have apnea...not sure. The other times, no RT.

On my first experience, I began to regain consciousness as the technician depressed her paddle button for the third of the permissible 'doses' of shock. It was the most powerful, I think about 200 joules, maybe 250..I forget... and it was a doozy. I was sufficiently conscious to groan and say, 'Ooooh...that's painful...' I'm surprised I didn't say something I can't publish.

A year ago I had a unexpected cardioversion when I went into SVT as I arrived at my cardiologist appointment. It was a good place to havet hat happen but I didn't get much of a meeting with the doctor as they sent me to the ER right away. The cardioversion was easy but the Amiodarone they gave me to try to convert before doing the cardioversion me was an odd feeling. The cardioversion was successful. They observed me for a bit and said they needed one more reading and then they would send me home. For some reason the night time ER doctor felt they should observe me overnight and then send me to a hospital two hours away by ambulance for further observation. When I arrived at the hospital they were as confused as I was as to why I was there. It was an expensive ride. Needless to say the cardioversion part was quite easy and I remained in NSR from the end of February until my ablation at the end of June. I am quite sure my experience was not typical.