RT Book, Section
A1 Casey, Paul
A1 Alcorn, Thomas
A2 Reichman, Eric F.
SR Print(0)
ID 1159796121
T1 Chemical Cardioversion
T2 Reichman's Emergency Medicine Procedures, 3e
YR 2018
FD 2018
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781259861925
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1159796121
RD 2024/04/16
AB Cardioversion  is  a  procedure  performed  to  restore  a  fast  or  irregular  heartbeat  back  to  normal  rhythm.1  There  are  two  general  types  of  cardioversion.  The  first  is  synchronized  cardioversion  with  electricity,  which  is  the  most  effective  treatment.2-7  The  second  is  pharmacologic  or  chemical  cardioversion.  The  decision  on  which  type  of  cardioversion  to  use  is  governed  by  the  patient’s  clinical  condition.  For  unstable  patients  with  hypotension,  altered  mental  status,  signs  of  shock,  chest  pain,  or  signs  of  heart  failure,  synchronized  cardioversion  is  indicated.2-4  For  patients  who  are  hemodynamically  stable  without  any  of  the  above  signs  or  symptoms,  chemical  cardioversion  may  be  considered.8  The  use  of  chemical  cardioversion  is  less  expensive  than  electrical  cardioversion,  but  patients  have  more  complications.9