Cardioversion

It seems I have developed persistent atrial flutter. I have been paced for complete heart block since Feb 2010, then in Jan 2023 was outfitted with a Medtronic CRTD since it was discovered that I had pacer induced heart failure. The Crt only helped bring my EF up to 40 to 45%. 

Now it seems I have developed persistent atrial flutter and my doctor (EP) will perform a cardioversion in about 2 weeks when I have been on blood thinners (Eliquis) for 4 weeks.

Can anyone tell me what to expect during and after the procedure. At this point in my life at age 67 I am sick and tired of all that has happened to me despite my taking good care of myself and hoping initially when I got the pacemaker over 13 ago that was all I had to deal with.

 

6 Comments

Cardioversion

by Selwyn - 2023-10-27 18:50:51

Have a general anaesthetic - one injection and "Good night"!

Wake up and wonder where the time went and is it over?

Have a red  sore chest and back where the electrode pads have been.

Hopefully, be in sinus rhythm and feel a lot better with a steady pulse. 

You may need to have some meds. to keep you in sinus rhythm.

Best of luck. It is a simple procedure.

 

Thank you!

by heartu - 2023-10-27 19:27:25

Will you go in my place? Getting a bit nervous even though you make it sound like it's  no big deal.

Wishing you every success

by Gemita - 2023-10-27 19:52:56

Heartu, it is certainly no big deal if you are knocked out!  I had 3 x Cardioversions, none of which worked for Atrial Fibrillation, so they had to use IV Flecainide as well to stop it.  Hopefully your Cardioversion will be successful first time and that you won’t remember a thing.

Atrial Flutter, if “typical” rather than “atypical” can I believe be treated fairly successfully with an ablation.  Perhaps they are waiting to see how well you respond to a Cardioversion first before suggesting an ablation which would be more invasive.  Certainly if they can stop your persistent Flutter, you will have a much better chance of improving your EF (ejection fraction) too I would imagine.

What to expect:  if you are knocked out, you won’t feel a thing.  I did suffer chest burns from my three Cardioversions which took a while to heal, but I didn’t suffer any other symptoms longer term.  As Selwyn says, it is a simple procedure, so let us hope it works.  I am sorry you have had such a miserable time with heart block/pacing induced heart failure.  The sooner you get Flutter under control, the better.  Good luck heartu

No biggie

by Daedalus - 2023-10-27 20:40:37

I had one while in the OR for my pacemaker implant.  They gave me the "sweet dreams juice," zapped me, did the implant and I woke up feeling fine about an hour later.  No pain, no discomfort, no redness or soreness, perhaps because I only needed a small zap charge of 100 joules. ⚡️ 
In any case, it's not a big deal.  You'll be fine. 

Thank you Gemita and Daedalus

by heartu - 2023-10-27 20:48:04

Thank you both. Am feeling a bit better about the procedure. Just want to get it over with. Have an echocardiogram scheduled for Nov 1st and the cardioversion for the 9th. Doctor also wants me to do a sleep study.

Was one of the easiest procedures

by TLee - 2023-10-28 13:31:23

Oh, Yeeeaaaah--Whatever drug they gave me was a-mazing! They were getting me all ready, next thing I know I am sitting there wondering when they were actually going to start & it was ALL DONE! Yes to the slight burns as well. It didn't work for my a-fib though.

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