Cardio version who has had one

Can you tell me your experience?

7 Comments

no, but

by Tracey_E - 2015-10-08 05:10:54

I've never had one, but I know several people who have. They put you out for it.

Cardioversion

by gleesue - 2015-10-08 06:10:11

I've been cardioverted probably at least 35 times. It's a little different if you have it in the ER or the hospital. They use different drugs. In the hospital I usually receive Brevital. It's very fast acting, you are out and back before you know it. In most ER's they are not allowed to use Brevital, so they give you a drug that will cause amnesia.

The jolt they use is called a joule. I have had them use anywhere from 35-250 joules . A joule can be defined as the work required to produce one watt of power for one second. But, it's really just an electrical shock. The reason they are using more joules on me now, is that my heart has gotten a little more stubborn.

There is no pain, but you may have some mild burning when they use the higher joules. In the ER be sure you have a doctor that knows what he is doing. Once I was not out and it felt like someone put a 2,000 lb. rock on my chest and hit it with a 1,000 lb. hammer. Another time, my wife was in the room and I kind of shocked everyone when I sat up, opened my eyes. looked around and said, did I spill my coffee. Then I just flopped back down.

Some doctors will allow your significant other to be in the room and some don't.

Cardioversion is no big deal. Once done you generally will leave with no restrictions.

If you are having one soon, good luck.

Jerry

You go in for the procedure

by Theknotguy - 2015-10-08 06:10:41

They take you into a procedural part of the hospital. They will give you instructions about taking meds. Also not eating or drinking any liquids. They'll tell you what id to carry, insurance stuff, medications and the like. When you arrive at the hospital they will get you registered, then they will take you back to the area where the procedure will be done.

You are prepped. You get an IV. They apply large pads that will deliver the shock. You usually have to remove your shirt. For women, depending upon the doctor, you can leave the bra on.

You are seated in an examination type chair in an upright position. They'll also put sensors on for heart rhythm and a blood pressure cuff. The blood pressure cuff may be an automatic type cuff.

Depending upon the doctor, he/she will tell you how many shocks you will receive. So if you don't convert on the first, they'll try a second, etc.

You are given a twilight drug through the IV. You're usually out so fast you don't even realize when you received the drug. From your side, you're out like a light.

The heart is shocked. Hopefully you will go right into rhythm.

They monitor you post procedure to make sure everything is OK and you stay OK.

If everything OK, they wait for twilight drug to wear off somewhat. (I was flying pretty high when they wheeled me out.) The IV is removed - you probably won't know it. Someone helps you dress in street clothes. They take you out in a wheelchair to your transportation and the person who will be taking you home. They got me out of the hospital early. Don't remember too much of the ride home. Was able to get into the car. Wasn't able to connect my seat belt. That's how looped I was.

You will not be able to drive for 24 hours post procedure, are not supposed to write a check or do a money transaction, and someone has to come with you and take you home. You should plan on having someone else cook that night. You probably won't want to go out somewhere for dinner as you'll be groggy. Plan of sleeping post procedure for about 12 hours. It's a really good sleep. You won't be in any shape to visit, talk with friends on the phone, do texting - just sleep.

You may have redness in the area where the pads were located. You can be a little sore for a couple of days.

The preparation takes the most time. For the actual event, you won't even know it happened.

The most important thing is to have the procedure done. Don't get too hung up about the procedure done. You want to be converted and get back to your normal life.

Hope this helps.

Multiple

by Dave34 - 2015-10-10 01:10:17

I have had multiple cardio versions done. Only one was not successful at the time they did them. A little sore and tired after having them. Tough entering my 40's with all of these issues but pushing through. Wish you all the best

Four Times

by PJinSC - 2015-10-10 05:10:40

During all the procedures that eventually lead to me getting a pacemaker, I had four cardioversions performed to try to get the A-fib to calm down from 130-140 bpm. None of them were permanently successful, but your case may be different. My electrical system was in the process of going haywire. Regardless, they send you into Neverland and give you an amnesia drug so you can't remember anything, just like Theknotguy says above. The third time, they must have really cranked up the joules because when I got home, my back was itching and my wife said I had a sunburn mark between my shoulder blades the size of one of the big pads. I did "comment" on that when I saw my EP soon after.

You will need to have someone drive you home and watch over you for a good 24 hours. The docs will explain all that to you.

Follow Up to comment "Four Times"

by PJinSC - 2015-10-11 08:10:31

I got to thinking and read your Bio and previous comments/posts....why are you asking this question? Is your doctor implying that you need to have a cardioversion procedure performed? I did some searching, and was not encouraged by the risks/benefits for someone who already has a PM. In my case, they did an AV block to put me down to 40 bpm, which is the natural pacemaker setting for the ventricles. The PM controls both my ventricles at 70 bpm. For all practical purposes, my sinus node signals are blocked to the ventricles. My atria are quivering at 300+ bpm and are basically useless. No one has suggested a follow up cardioversion to bring my atria to a normal level. I have heard of a new PM that can deliver a shock to the atria, but from what I have been able to determine it has not been approved in the US. Sometimes at night I can feel my atria fluttering and it is a strangely disconcerting feeling, to say the least. I have learned to accept my condition and do the best I can. I am very active and am getting along fairly well. The anxiety attacks went away long ago. But then, I served 7 patrols on a nuclear missile submarine and worked at a nuclear power plant, so it takes a lot to get me worked up. Hope you can work this out. PJ.

Answer to Pj

by Lisamaruna - 2015-10-12 04:10:54

Yes I had been I'm afibb for 5 days when I went I. Last Tuesday, the Ep specialist put me on Metropolol and xarelto in case we have to do cardio version. I have to send in a report Tuesday and then he will tell me . He hopes my heart will get out of afibb on its own. I guess I should ask more questions. I see everyone here knows numbers and exactly what is going on and I really don't. I am terrified of this. My question is is why would he say he is sure this isn't the first time I have been in afibb and given my history this doesn't surprise him at all.

I am also comfused as to why this started 5 weeks post op.
Yes I have felt the flutter many times in the past but I guess I thought it was extra beats and it was never caught.

You know you're wired when...

“Batteries not included” takes on a new meaning.

Member Quotes

I am very lucky to have my device.