precautions and complications
Last reviewed 01/2018
Prior to cardioversion it is important to ensure that:
- antiarrhythmic drug concentrations e.g. digoxin are within the therapeutic window (some stop drugs several days before cardioversion)
- the serum potassium is within normal limits
Complications
- arrhythmias e.g. ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation
- thromboembolism:
- this risk is minimised by formal anticoagulation of patients with long-standing atrial fibrillation or ventricular aneurysm
- anticoagulation should be for a period of 1 month before the cardioversion and maintained for a further period of 1 month after the cardioversion
- chest wall burns - this is prevented by the proper use of saline gel pads