Cardioversion can rectify a heartbeat which is too fast (tachycardia) or irregular (fibrillation). Generally, cardioversion is used to treat people who have atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. These conditions occur when the electrical signals which normally make your heart beat at the normal rate do not travel correctly through the upper chamber of your heart.
When your heart is beating ineffectively, cardioversion is usually performed to rectify.
Cardioversion is generally done with electric shocks, administered through electrodes which are attached to your chest, while you are sedated. Electric cardioversion takes less time than cardioversion when done solely with medications.

Electric cardioversion has complications which are uncommon and doctors can take steps to reduce your risks. Major risks include:

•   Dislodged blood clots: Certain people have blood clots in their hearts may have irregular heartbeats. These clots can move to other parts of the body because of electric cardioversion. This may cause life-threatening complications, such as a blood clot or stroke traveling to your lungs.
•   Abnormal heartbeats: In some rare cases, some people who undergo electric cardioversion end up with some other heart rhythms problems during or after their procedure. This is a rare procedure.
•   Skin burns: In some rare cases, people have minor burns on their skin where their electrodes were placed.

During the procedure

A technician or nurse will place a few large patches called electrodes on your chest. The electrodes will be connected to a cardioversion machine (defibrillator) using wires.
Throughout the procedure, the defibrillator will monitor and record your heart rhythm and will deliver shocks to your heart to restore a normal heart rhythm. After cardioversion, this machine can also correct if it beats too slowly.
Before the shocks were delivered, a technician or a nurse would insert an intravenous (IV) line in your arm. The IV line is used to give you medications so that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure.
Electric cardioversion generally takes a few minutes to complete once you are sedated.

After the procedure

The cardioversion procedure is done on an outpatient basis which means you can go home the same day your procedure is done. You will spend an hour or so in a recovery room being closely monitored for complications.
Because you would be sedated, your awareness would be affected. You will need someone to drive you home. Also, your abilities to make decisions may be affected for several hours after your procedure.
You will take blood thinners for at least several weeks if you have clots in your heart before your procedure.

For many people, cardioversion can easily restore a regular heartbeat. It might be possible that you will need repeated procedures to keep a normal heart rhythm.
To keep your heart healthy, you might need to make lifestyle changes that improve the overall health of your body. Your doctor might suggest that you:

•   Avoid or limit caffeine and alcohol
•   Use less salt to lower your blood pressure
•   Increase your physical activity
•   Quit smoking
•   Eat healthy food and maintain a healthy weight
•   Try to limit or manage stress and anger