kardiyoversiyon

Kardiyoversiyon, also known as electrical cardioversion, is a medical procedure used to restore a normal heart rhythm in patients with certain types of irregular heartbeats, most commonly atrial fibrillation or supraventricular tachycardia. The procedure involves delivering a controlled electrical shock to the heart through paddles or patches placed on the chest. This shock momentarily stops the heart's electrical activity, allowing its natural pacemaker to hopefully re-establish a regular rhythm.

Before the procedure, patients are typically given a mild sedative or anesthesia to ensure comfort and prevent awareness of the shock. It is crucial for patients to have had an echocardiogram prior to cardioversion to assess for blood clots in the heart. If a clot is present, the risk of dislodging it and causing a stroke is significantly increased. In such cases, blood-thinning medication is usually administered for several weeks before cardioversion.

The electrical shock is synchronized with the heart's electrical cycle to avoid delivering it during a vulnerable period, which could lead to a more dangerous arrhythmia. After the procedure, patients are monitored for a short period to ensure their heart rhythm has stabilized and there are no immediate complications. While generally safe and effective, potential risks include skin burns at the paddle sites, damage to the heart muscle, or the development of new arrhythmias. The success rate varies depending on the underlying heart condition and its duration.