Cardioversion

& Defibrillation
Presented by Jannah Marie A.
Dimaporo of Section CDghUVX
 Cardioversion
A medical procedure that restored a normal heart
rhythm in people with certain types of abnormal
heartbeats (arrhythmias).

It is a usually scheduled procedure that is done in the

hospital where patients can go home on the same
day.
Purpose of Cardioversion

To correct a heartbeat To treat people who Usually scheduled in

that’s too fast have atrial fibrillation or advance but is
(tachycardia) or atrial flutter. sometimes done in
irregular (fibrillation). emergency situations.
Types of Cardioversion

Done with electric shocks which are Cardioversion with medications to

given through electrodes attached to restore the heart’s rhythm without
the chest when sedated. electric shocks to the heart.

Electric Cardioversion Chemical Cardioversion

Defibrillation

A nonsynchronized random
administration of shock during a
cardiac cycle. Doctors use
high-voltage shocks to treat
life-threatening arrhythmias or
a heart that has stopped.
Defibrillation
Timeline 1956
Alternating current (AC)
defibrillation was first
introduced to treat
ventricular fibrillation in
humans.

1962
Direct current (DC) was
introduced
Cardioversion vs. Defibrillation
Done with electric shocks which are
given through electrodes attached to
the chest when sedated.
Cardioversion
An emergency procedure that’s
performed when your heart stops or
quivers uselessly. It delivers more
powerful shocks to the heart to
correct its rhythm.
Defibrillation
Risks of Cardioversion
Dislodged Blood Clots
Blood clots may move to
other parts of the body. This
could cause stroke or a
blood clot travelling to the
lungs.
Doctor may prescribe
blood-thinning medications
or check for blood clots
before the procedure.
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
It is a rare complication but
some people who have
cardioversion develop other
heart rhythm problems
during or after the
procedure.
Skin Burns
Minor burns on skin where
the electrodes are placed.
 But wait! Can
cardioversion
be done during
pregnancy?
Cardioversion can
be done during
pregnancy.
But it’s recommended that
the baby’s heartbeat be
monitored during the
procedure.
How to Prepare

Have someone drive you to Don’t put any powders,

your appointment and take lotions, or ointments on your
you home. chest and back 24 hours
before the procedure.

Don’t eat or drink at least 8

Leave all jewelry at home.
hours before the
cardioversion.

Transesophageal If patient must take

echocardiogram may be medications before the
done to check for blood procedure, they must sip
clots. enough water to swallow the
pills.
During

1 2 3 4
The nurse or The nurse or The doctor will The doctor will
doctor will place technician will deliver an electric check to see if
an intravenous place several shock through the heartbeat is
line in the large patches two paddles; one regular. Some
patient’s arm and called electrodes is placed on the patients only
will be given a on the patient’s chest and the need one shock,
sedative to make chest. These are other on the but there are
him/her sleepy. connected to the back. The shock others who need
This is also to cardioversion lasts less than a more to restore a
make sure that machine second and regular heartbeat.
the patient won’t (defibrillator) that resets the
feel pain during delivers the patient’s heart
the procedure. electric shock. rhythm.
After

●
Prevent arrhythmia-causing conditions by

1 2 3
Avoid or limit caffeine and Eat heart-healthy foods Increase your physical
alcohol. and use less salt. activity.

4 5 6
Maintain a healthy weight. Quit smoking. Try to limit or manage
stress and anger.
Success Rate

90%+
Depends on the size effective
of the left atrium and
how the patient has
been in AFib.
References

● https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cardioversion/about/pac-20385123#:~:te
xt=Cardioversion%20is%20a%20medical%20procedure,to%20do%20cardioversion%20with
%20medications
● https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/prevention--treatment-of-arrhyth
mia/cardioversion
● https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/atrial-fibrillation/facts-about-cardioversion
● https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/electrical-car
dioversion
● https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/80564-overview#:~:text=Defibrillation%20is%20
nonsynchronized%20random%20administration,treat%20ventricular%20fibrillation%20in%2
0humans.&text=Cardioversion%20is%20a%20synchronized%20administration,complex%20
of%20a%20cardiac%20cycle.
 Quiz

1. What is a nonsynchronized random administration of shock during a cardiac cycle used to

treat life-threatening arrhythmias or a heart that has stopped?
2. What is a scheduled medical procedure done to restore the normal heart rhythm in
people with certain types of abnormal heartbeats.

3. - 4. What are the two types of cardioversion?

5. - 7. What are the three risks of cardioversion?

8. TRUE OR FALSE: Cardioversion cannot be done during pregnancy.

9. - 10. Give two ways of preventing arrhythmias.

 Thanks
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