Cardioversion: Electrical Cardioversion
For electrical cardioversion, your doctor first gives you a sedative. Then your doctor places paddles or patches either on your chest or on your chest and back, depending on your doctor's preference.
The paddles or patches send an electrical current to the heart. The electrical current stops the heart momentarily. When it resumes beating, the heart usually starts in a normal rhythm.
Last Revised: November 2, 2010
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & John M. Miller, MD - Electrophysiology
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