Cardioversion

Question 1

Cardioversion

Answer 1

• opportunity for the “natural” pacemaker to resume normal activity
• restores coordinated electrical and mechanical pumping action of the heart
• delivery of a SYNCHRONIZED or timed electrical charge to the external chest wall (turn on sync button)
• electrical charge is synchronized with the patients QRS so as not to deliver on the T wave or “vulnerable” period

Question 2

Cardioversion is used for the treatment of what arrhythmias

Answer 2

• Supra-ventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
• Unstable/rapid Atrial Flutter
• Unstable/rapid Atrial Fibrillation

Question 3

Refractory Periods

Answer 3

• Absolute Refractory Period

- Relative Refractory Period

Question 4

Absolute Refractory Period

Answer 4

• no impulse can cause depolarization

- “absolutely no impulse can cause depolarization”

Question 5

Relative Refractory Period

Answer 5

• a strong enough impulse could cause a premature abnormal discharge
• downslope of T wave only relative refractory period; “vulnerable period”
• do not shock on these points; this is why we sync

Question 6

Safety Considerations using life pack 20/energy for treatment

Answer 6

• dry floor/ dry patient
• good seal of pads
• sedation
• remove oxygen source
• make sure no one is touching the patient/bed/equipment