Elektrocardioversion

Elektrocardioversion is a medical procedure used to restore a normal heart rhythm in patients experiencing certain types of abnormal heartbeats, primarily atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or supraventricular tachycardia. The technique involves delivering a controlled electrical shock to the heart through electrodes placed on the chest, temporarily disrupting the abnormal electrical activity and allowing the heart’s natural pacemaker to resume regular function.

The procedure is typically performed in a hospital setting under sedation or general anesthesia to ensure patient comfort and safety. Before the shock is administered, healthcare providers may attempt to synchronize the electrical pulse with the patient’s heartbeat to avoid delivering the shock during a vulnerable phase of the cardiac cycle, which could potentially trigger ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening rhythm. This synchronization is particularly important in cases of atrial fibrillation or flutter.

Indications for electrocardioversion include acute episodes of arrhythmias that are causing symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, chest discomfort, or signs of poor circulation. It is often used as an emergency treatment when medications alone fail to restore normal rhythm quickly. Unlike implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), which deliver shocks automatically, electrocardioversion is performed by medical professionals in response to a diagnosed arrhythmia.

Complications are rare but may include temporary confusion, skin burns from electrode placement, or, in rare cases, worsening of the arrhythmia. Patients are usually monitored for a short period afterward to ensure stability before discharge. Long-term management may involve medications, lifestyle changes, or further procedures like catheter ablation to prevent recurrent episodes. The success rate of electrocardioversion varies but is generally high for conditions like atrial fibrillation, especially when performed early in the episode.