Cardioversion (DCCV) Recovery | Cardiac Services | St Vincent's Private Hospitals

Cardiac Services Infoline

Email Us

Cardiac Services

Cardioversion (DCCV) Recovery

Cardioversion, or direct current cardioversion (DCCV), is typically performed using a general anaesthetic to treat an irregular heartbeat, or a condition where the heart is beating too fast or too slow. An electrical shock is sent to the heart using electrodes that are attached to your chest. By interrupting the disorganised electrical circuit that is causing the irregular heart activity, a normal heartbeat is restored. Cardioversion is considered a short and safe procedure which may only take up to 30 minutes. The recovery will look different for all patients, and much of it will depend upon your general health and wellbeing coming into the procedure. Our specialist team are here to support you at every step. Please ask about our dedicated cardio rehabilitation program that you can access through your hospital.

Home preparation for cardioversion

There are some useful ways to prepare for your return home after cardioversion.

Organise someone to help you home from hospital as you won’t be allowed to drive for 24 hours
Arrange to have some help with daily tasks while you recover
Set up a comfortable area at home where you can rest as you may feel tired from the anaesthetic
Place necessary items close by such as your phone, remote control, glasses etc
Have an accessible place to keep your blood-thinning medication, and any creams or ointments where the electrodes have aggravated your skin

Related recovery

Your recovery from cardioversion

After the cardioversion is complete, you will spend some time under observation while you recover. Some patients may need to stay in hospital overnight, but most are able to return home the same day. Driving is not permitted for 24 hours after cardioversion, so it’s important to arrange for someone to help get you home from hospital. You are likely to feel sleepy for several hours after the procedure, and may have some soreness on your chest from the electrode pads. Your doctor may recommend some creams to help with this. Blood-thinning medication may also be recommended to help reduce the risk of stroke after cardioversion. Upon discharge, your doctor will talk to you about any ongoing treatment and make a follow-up appointment.

What to look out for at home

Cardioversion is generally considered a low-risk medical procedure. It is normal to experience tiredness and a dry throat after the general anaesthetic, and patients may not be able to remember much of the procedure afterwards. Some patients also experience a mild soreness or irritation from the sticky electrodes. After DCCV, there is a small risk of blood clots moving around, and your doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medication to reduce the potential risk of stroke. Talk to your doctor if you experience any ongoing discomfort or heart-related symptoms.

In recovery

Your heart, blood pressure and breathing will be monitored
You may feel sleepy for several hours after the procedure
You may feel groggy for the remainder of the day and not remember the procedure
Your doctor will talk to you about the results and what treatment may be required going forwards
You will be prescribed blood-thinning medication to take at home
You will be given any necessary instructions about what to do at home
Patients typically return home the same day

At home

As driving is not allowed for 24 hours, you will need help getting home from hospital
Arrange for a friend to stay with you at home while you recover
Don’t return to work until you feel fully recovered
Use any prescribed creams or ointments to soothe skin irritation from the electrodes
Take the blood-thinning medication as prescribed by your doctor, typically for at least four weeks after the procedure
You should feel able to return to your usual daily routine within a few days

Driving is not permitted for 24 hours after cardioversion. This is because the procedure requires a general anaesthetic, and patients are likely to feel tired and groggy for the rest of the day. This time period ensures that the anaesthetic has fully gone from your body and that you are safe to drive and make quick decisions.

Cardioversion is a highly effective procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat. It is often used to treat atrial fibrillation, or atrial flutter. In some cases, cardioversion is only successful for a period of time before an abnormal rhythm returns. In this instance, the treatment may be repeated, although your doctor may talk to you about alternative treatment pathways. After cardioversion, your doctor will discuss the results with you along with any treatment plan going forwards.

Cardioversion is carried out using a general anaesthetic which can cause patients to feel tired and groggy for a good few hours after the procedure. For this reason, patients are not allowed to travel home alone, and should not drive for 24 hours after treatment. The tiredness should wear off by the end of the day, and normal activities can resume within a few days.

Blood thinning medication is typically required after cardioversion as there is a risk that the procedure could dislodge a blood clot and cause it to move around the body. Prior to treatment, some patients may require a transoesophageal echocardiogram to check for existing blood clots. After cardioversion, patients are typically prescribed blood-thinner for the next four weeks to reduce the risk of stroke.

What's next?

If you have been experiencing heart-related symptoms, book an appointment with our cardiac services specialist today.

Find a Specialist

Have questions?

Unsure about your next steps? Get in touch today, we’re here to help.

Our specialists in Cardiac Services

View all specialists

St Vincents Private Hospitals

Cardiac Services

Home preparation for cardioversion

Your recovery from cardioversion

What to look out for at home

Average recovery timeline

In recovery

At home

What's next?

Have questions?

.a { fill: none; stroke: #fff; stroke-linejoin: round; stroke-width: 2px; } Cardiac Services

Home preparation for cardioversion

Your recovery from cardioversion

What to look out for at home

Average recovery timeline

In recovery

At home

What's next?

Have questions?

Related content

Cardiac Services

Heart Failure

Recovery

Better and fairer care. Always.

Cardiac Services