Information for patients

 

 

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ELECTRICAL CARDIOVERSION (ECV)

 

Preparation for the procedure

• If the arrhythmia has lasted for more than 48 hours, blood clots may form in the heart cavities, so preparation is needed - you should receive a blood-thinning medicine (Warfarin) before the ECV to monitor blood solubility (INR).

• If the arrhythmia does not last longer than 48 hours, it is possible to restore a normal (sinus) rhythm without preparation with Warfarin.

• ECV may be performed if you have documented blood counts in the last 3 weeks with an INR range of 2 to 4 units, or if you have previously had tests to rule out blood clots in the left atrium of the heart (TE-echo kg).

• You must not eat or drink for six hours before the scheduled ECV (these requirements must be followed to reduce the risk of choking during anesthesia and ECV).

• You should inform your doctor about allergic reactions to any type of medicine and specify them

 

Process of electrical cardioversion (electrical current pulse therapy)

When you are given medication under intravenous anesthesia, you are put to sleep for 3-10 minutes. Your heart rate is monitored. During an electrical cardioversion, your cardiologist will perform an electrical cardioversion to stop the arrhythmia.

After the procedure two hours of bed rest is required.

 

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Possible complications:

• Life-threatening heart rhythm disorders (ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation) - 0-5% of cases

• Anaphylactic reaction to drug administration (anesthetics, premedication) - 0-1% of cases

• Risk of thromboembolism and venous thrombosis - 3-7% of cases

• Risk of a sudden death 0 <0.1% of cases