Treating an abnormal heartbeat with a shock to the heart
Electrical cardioversion is a method doctors use to convert certain types of arrhythmia, or heart rhythm disorders, into normal heartbeats. The procedure involves using electrical energy to shock the heart and restore a normal rhythm.
Electrical cardioversion is one of the many techniques used by the doctors in our Electrophysiology Program. We provide expert care at locations throughout Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, and we’re the region’s leading referral program for heart rhythm disorders.
Procedures
Electrical cardioversion usually is scheduled in advance. You should not eat or drink anything starting at midnight the night before your procedure. The doctor will tell you whether you should take your normal medications the day of the cardioversion. If you should, take them with only a small sip of water.
A technician will place sticky patches called electrodes on your chest. These patches will be connected to a machine that lets us monitor your heartbeat. We’ll give you medication through an IV that will make you sleep during the procedure. While you’re asleep, your doctor will deliver shocks to your heart to correct its rhythm.
The procedure usually takes only a few minutes to complete. Afterward, you’ll wake up in a recovery room to rest. You’ll need someone to drive you home after the procedure. You should be safe to resume driving and other normal activities the next day.
Conditions
Arrhythmia (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
An arrhythmia is an abnormal or irregular heartbeat caused by a disturbance in the electrical impulses that coordinate your heart rate. This can cause your heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly.
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare genetic abnormality of the heart muscle.
Tests
Chest X-ray
Chest X-rays use a small dose of radiation to create pictures of the structures inside the chest, including the lungs, heart, and chest wall.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, measures the heart’s electrical activity.
Event Monitors
An event monitor is a small device that records the heart’s electrical activity. It’s similar to an electrocardiogram, but where an electrocardiogram takes place over a few minutes, an event monitor measures heart rhythms over a much longer time.
Holter Monitors
A Holter monitor is a small device that records the heart’s electrical activity. It’s similar to an electrocardiogram, but whereas an electrocardiogram records over a few minutes, a Holter monitor records over the course of a day or two.
Stress Tests
Stress tests are used to assess how your heart works during physical activity. There are several types of stress tests, including treadmill or bike stress tests, nuclear stress tests, stress echocardiograms, and chemically induced stress tests.
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
Transesophageal echocardiogram allows us to take very detailed images of your heart structure from a probe in your esophagus.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Amanda Z. Beirne, ACNP-BC, MSN
Electrophysiology
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Jeffrey Yu-chen Chang, MSPAS, PA
Electrophysiology & Cardiology
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Kathryn Rose Dougherty, MMPAS, PA
Electrophysiology
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Sarfraz A.K. Durrani, MBBS, MD
Electrophysiology
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Zayd Eldadah, MD
Electrophysiology
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Margaret Bell Fischer, MD
Adult Congenital Cardiac Disease & Electrophysiology
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Cyrus Adel Hadadi, MD
Electrophysiology
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Rajiv Ashok Kabadi, MD
Electrophysiology & Cardiology
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Sung W. Lee, MD
Electrophysiology
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Salman Masood Malik, MD
Cardiology
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Jay Aaron Mazel, MD
Electrophysiology
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Glenn Robert Meininger, MD
Electrophysiology
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Edward V. Platia, MD
Electrophysiology
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David Abraham Strouse, MD
Electrophysiology
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Athanasios Thomaides, MD
Cardiology & Electrophysiology
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Megan Joy Zemrose, MPAS, PA
Electrophysiology
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Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Health: Cardiac Electrophysiology at MedStar Franklin Square - White Square Professional Building
9105 Franklin Square Dr. Suite 209 Baltimore, MD 21237
410-554-2440
MedStar Health: Cardiac Electrophysiology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Washington, DC 20007
855-430-5304
MedStar Health: Cardiac Electrophysiology at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7501 Surratts Road Suite 306 Clinton, MD 20735
301-877-4469
MedStar Health: Cardiac Electrophysiology at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital - Calvert Street Building
3300 North Calvert Street Calvert Street Building First Floor Baltimore, MD 21218
410-554-2044
MedStar Health: Cardiac Electrophysiology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center - Main Hospital
110 Irving Street, NW S5A-12 Washington, DC 20010
855-430-5304
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.