What Is Cardioversion?

How The Procedure Should Work

Chemical cardioversion seems to use intravenous medication to help stabilize the patient's heart. This should increase the chances of success. However, it may be possible for patients to receive the medication in another way.

With electrical cardioversion, a nurse or technician should place electrodes on the patient's chest. The nurse may also be the one to administer the intravenous sedative so that the patient will sleep through the procedure. A machine that connects to the electrodes should record the patient's heart rate and rhythm and then calibrate the appropriate electrical shock. The machine should then administer the shock. This whole procedure may only take a few minutes. Once patients recover from the sedative, they may be able to return home.

Keep reading to uncover the possible risks of this procedure next.