What you can expect

During the procedure

You'll be given medications through an IV to make you sleep during the procedure so that you won't feel any pain from the shocks. You may receive other medications through the IV to help restore your heart rhythm.

A nurse or technician places several large patches called electrodes on your chest. The electrodes connect to a cardioversion machine (defibrillator) using wires. The machine records your heart rhythm and delivers shocks to your heart to restore a normal heart rhythm. This machine can also correct your heart's rhythm if it beats too slowly after cardioversion.

Once you're sedated, electric cardioversion usually takes only a few minutes to complete.

After the procedure

Electric cardioversion is done on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day your procedure is done. You'll spend an hour or so in a recovery room being closely monitored for complications.

You'll need someone to drive you home, and your ability to make decisions may be affected for several hours after your procedure.

Even if no clots were found in your heart before your procedure, you'll take blood-thinning medications for at least several weeks after your procedure to prevent new clots from forming.