Cardioversion: Electrical Cardioversion

Picture of electrical cardioversion

For electrical cardioversion, your doctor first gives you a sedative. Then your doctor places paddles or patches either on your chest or on your chest and back, depending on your doctor's preference.

The paddles or patches send an electrical current to the heart. The electrical current stops the heart momentarily. When it resumes beating, the heart usually starts in a normal rhythm.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerJohn M. Miller, MD - Electrophysiology
Last RevisedNovember 2, 2010
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: November 2, 2010
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
John M. Miller, MD - Electrophysiology

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