Cardioversion

(Redirected from DC cardioversion)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

WikiDoc Resources for Cardioversion

Articles

Most recent articles on Cardioversion

Most cited articles on Cardioversion

Review articles on Cardioversion

Articles on Cardioversion in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Cardioversion

Images of Cardioversion

Photos of Cardioversion

Podcasts & MP3s on Cardioversion

Videos on Cardioversion

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Cardioversion

Bandolier on Cardioversion

TRIP on Cardioversion

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Cardioversion at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Cardioversion

Clinical Trials on Cardioversion at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Cardioversion

NICE Guidance on Cardioversion

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Cardioversion

CDC on Cardioversion

Books

Books on Cardioversion

News

Cardioversion in the news

Be alerted to news on Cardioversion

News trends on Cardioversion

Commentary

Blogs on Cardioversion

Definitions

Definitions of Cardioversion

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Cardioversion

Discussion groups on Cardioversion

Patient Handouts on Cardioversion

Directions to Hospitals Treating Cardioversion

Risk calculators and risk factors for Cardioversion

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Cardioversion

Causes & Risk Factors for Cardioversion

Diagnostic studies for Cardioversion

Treatment of Cardioversion

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Cardioversion

International

Cardioversion en Espanol

Cardioversion en Francais

Business

Cardioversion in the Marketplace

Patents on Cardioversion

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Cardioversion

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]


Synchronized electrical cardioversion is the process by which an abnormally fast heart rate or cardiac arrhythmia is terminated by the delivery of a therapeutic dose of electrical current to the heart at a specific moment in the cardiac cycle.

Pharmacologic cardioversion uses medication instead of an electrical shock to convert the cardiac arrhythmia.

Synchronized electrical cardioversion

To perform synchronized electrical cardioversion two electrode pads are used, each comprising a metallic plate which is faced with a saline based conductive gel. The pads are placed on the chest of the patient, or one is placed on the chest and one on the back. These are connected by cables to a machine which has the combined functions of an ECG display screen and the electrical function of a defibrillator. A synchronizing function (either manually operated or automatic) allows the cardioverter to deliver a reversion shock, by way of the pads, of a selected amount of electrical current over a predefined number of milliseconds at the optimal moment in the cardiac cycle which corresponds to the R wave of the QRS complex on the ECG. Timing the shock to the R wave prevents the delivery of the shock during the vulnerable period (or relative refractory period) of the cardiac cycle, which could induce ventricular fibrillation. If the patient is conscious, various drugs are often used to help sedate the patient and make the procedure more tolerable. However, if the patient is haemodynamically unstable or unconscious, the shock is given immediately upon confirmation of the arrhythmia. When synchronized electrical cardioversion is performed as an elective procedure, the shocks can be performed in conjunction with drug therapy until sinus rhythm is attained. Multiple electrical shocks may cause burns of the epidermis at the pad sites. After the procedure, the patient is monitored to ensure stability of the sinus rhythm.

Synchronized electrical cardioversion is used to treat hemodynamically significant supraventricular (or narrow complex) tachycardias, including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. It is also used in the emergent treatment of wide complex tachycardias, including ventricular tachycardia, when a pulse is present. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation are treated with unsynchronized shocks referred to as defibrillation. Electrical therapy is inappropriate for sinus tachycardia, which should always be a part of the differential diagnosis.

Pharmacologic cardioversion

Various antiarrhythmic agents can be used to return the heart to normal sinus rhythm. Drugs like amiodarone, cardizem, and metoprolol are frequently given before cardioversion to decrease the heart rate, stabilize the patient and increase the chance that cardioversion is successful.

If the patient is stable, Adenosine may be administered first, as the medicine performs a sort of "chemical cardioversion" and may stabilize the heart and let it resume normal function on its own without using electricity.

See also

External links


de:Kardioversion nl:Cardioversie


Template:WikiDoc Sources