AI Article Synopsis
- External electrical cardioversion was introduced in the 1950s and is used to treat conditions like atrial and ventricular tachycardia, effectively restoring normal heart rhythm, particularly in urgent situations.
- Accurate diagnosis of tachycardia, proper patient selection, and careful electrode placement are critical for enhancing the success rate and minimizing complications.
- Potential risks include serious issues such as ventricular fibrillation, thromboembolism, and heart block, especially if the procedure is not properly performed or if the patient has existing devices like pacemakers.
Article Abstract
External electrical cardioversion was first performed in the 1950s. Urgent or elective cardioversions have specific advantages, such as termination of atrial and ventricular tachycardia and recovery of sinus rhythm. Electrical cardioversion is life-saving when applied in urgent circumstances. The succcess rate is increased by accurate tachycardia diagnosis, careful patient selection, adequate electrode (paddles) application, determination of the optimal energy and anesthesia levels, prevention of embolic events and arrythmia recurrence and airway conservation while minimizing possible complications. Potential complications include ventricular fibrillation due to general anesthesia or lack of synchronization between the direct current (DC) shock and the QRS complex, thromboembolus due to insufficient anticoagulant therapy, non-sustained VT, atrial arrhythmia, heart block, bradycardia, transient left bundle branch block, myocardial necrosis, myocardial dysfunction, transient hypotension, pulmonary edema and skin burn. Electrical cardioversion performed in patients with a pacemaker or an incompatible cardioverter defibrillator may lead to dysfunction, namely acute or chronic changes in the pacing or sensitivity threshold. Although this procedure appears fairly simple, serious consequences might occur if inappropriately perfformed.
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| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2813644 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0256-4947.51775 | DOI Listing |
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