kardioversiooni

Kardioversioon is a medical procedure used to restore a normal heart rhythm. It is typically performed when a person has a fast or irregular heartbeat, such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. The procedure involves delivering a controlled electrical shock or administering medications to reset the heart's electrical activity.

There are two main types of cardioversion: electrical and pharmacological. Electrical cardioversion uses a device called a defibrillator to deliver a synchronized electrical shock to the chest. This shock momentarily stops the heart, allowing its natural pacemaker to re-establish a normal rhythm. Pharmacological cardioversion involves the use of antiarrhythmic medications, which are given intravenously or orally to help convert the abnormal heart rhythm back to normal.

Before undergoing cardioversion, patients are usually given blood thinners to reduce the risk of blood clots forming in the heart, which could be dislodged by the procedure. Sedation is also administered to ensure the patient is comfortable and pain-free during the electrical cardioversion.

The success rate of cardioversion varies depending on the underlying heart condition and how long the abnormal rhythm has been present. While generally safe, potential risks include skin burns from the electrical shock, blood clots, or the abnormal rhythm returning. After the procedure, patients are monitored to ensure their heart rhythm remains stable. In some cases, cardioversion may need to be repeated if the abnormal rhythm recurs.