Overview
Cardioversion is a medical treatment that uses quick, low-energy shocks to restore a regular heart rhythm. It’s used to treat some types of irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias. An example is atrial fibrillation (AFib). Sometimes cardioversion is done using medicines.
Cardioversion is usually a scheduled appointment but is sometimes done as an emergency treatment. Usually, cardioversion quickly resets the heart rhythm.
Cardioversion is not the same as defibrillation. That’s an emergency procedure that’s done when the heart stops or quivers uselessly.
Why it’s done
Cardioversion is done to correct a heartbeat that’s too fast or irregular.
You may need this treatment if you have a heart rhythm disorder such as:
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib).
- Atrial flutter.
There are two main types of cardioversion.
- Electric cardioversion uses a machine and sensors to deliver quick, low-energy shocks to the chest. This type lets a healthcare professional instantly see if the treatment has corrected the irregular heartbeat.
- Chemical cardioversion, also called pharmacological cardioversion, uses medicine to reset the heart rhythm. It takes longer to work than electric cardioversion. No shocks are given during this type of cardioversion.
