Cardioversion

Cardioversion is a procedure done to put your heart back into a normal rhythm.

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before.
Discuss with your doctor what medications you should take.
If you are taking medication to thin your blood (e.g., Coumadin, Warfarin, Plavix, or aspirin), you should check with your doctor about stopping these medications before this procedure.
Medications that your doctor has instructed you to take can be taken with a small amount of water.
If you wear dentures, they must be removed for the procedure.
Be sure to arrange transportation. Someone must stay with you at the hospital until discharge and drive you home. Transportation will be verified before the procedure. You may use a taxi cab for your transportation only if you have a person accompanying you other than the taxi cab driver. Your procedure may be cancelled if these arrangements are not made.

Consent is signed.
An intravenous needle (IV) is inserted.
An EKG is done.
You will be given medication to make you sleepy and relaxed and to minimize discomfort. On occasion, general anesthesia is used.
Oxygen will be used throughout the procedure.
The procedure takes about 40 minutes.
Recovery time is about one hour.