How can you decide about electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation?

What are the options for treating atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation (say "AY-tree-uhl fih-bruh-LAY-shun") is a kind of uneven heartbeat. It can make you feel dizzy, tired, or short of breath. It also can make you more likely to have a stroke.

To treat it, you may:

• Have electrical cardioversion.
• Try other treatments to restore a normal heart rhythm and relieve your symptoms. You might try catheter ablation. Or you may take medicines to control your heart rate or rhythm.

Use this information to help you and your doctor decide if cardioversion may be a good option for you.

How does cardioversion treat atrial fibrillation?

Electrical cardioversion is one treatment option to try to stop atrial fibrillation and keep it from coming back. It can also relieve symptoms of atrial fibrillation.

First, you'll get medicines through a vein. They will block pain and make you sleepy (I.V. sedation). Then your doctor will put patches on your chest or your chest and back. The patches send a brief electric shock to your heart. This resets your heart rhythm.

Your doctor may have you take rhythm-control medicines before and after cardioversion. These are called antiarrhythmics. They can make it more likely that your heart rhythm will get back to normal and stay there. You will probably take a blood-thinner medicine (anticoagulant). This is to prevent blood clots before and after the procedure. This medicine lowers your risk of a stroke.

For most people, this treatment restores a normal heart rhythm right away. But atrial fibrillation often comes back. If it does, talk with your doctor about your next treatment options. You may be able to have cardioversion again. Or your doctor might have you try a different treatment, such as catheter ablation. Or you might take medicines to control your heart rate or rhythm.

What are key points about this decision?

• Cardioversion can return your heart to a normal rhythm. This helps relieve symptoms of atrial fibrillation.
• For most people, cardioversion restores a normal heart rhythm right away. But atrial fibrillation often comes back. Many things can affect how long the heart stays in a normal rhythm. Your doctor can help you understand how well this treatment might work for you.
• Cardioversion is just one way to treat atrial fibrillation. If atrial fibrillation returns after this procedure, you may try cardioversion again. Or you can choose another treatment.
• Cardioversion does have some risks. These range from minor burns from the patches to a stroke. Your doctor can help you weigh your risks against the possible benefits.
• No matter what treatment you choose, you will need to take steps to prevent a stroke, manage other health problems, and have a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Your decision

What you decide will depend on how you feel about the benefits and risks of your options. Talk to your doctor about what matters most to you. Together, you can make the decision that's right for you.