Have you ever felt like your heart was racing, pounding, or skipping a beat? This can be a sign of cardiac arrhythmia and is common, especially in older people. If this happens occasionally, they are usually harmless. However, some arrhythmias that last longer may be critical and require management and treatment. Cardiac arrhythmia is a class of conditions in which the electrical activity of the heart is abnormal. One way to correct certain arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter is to perform a medical procedure called "cardioversion." As a group, we would like to explain why it is important to distinguish between cardioversion and defibrillation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay According to the heart.com website, “Arrhythmias can produce a wide range of symptoms, from barely noticeable to cardiovascular collapse and death. » There are different diagnostic tests used to confirm arrhythmias. We will also explain the two types of cardioversion procedures used to correct an irregular heart rhythm and what happens before, during and after cardioversion. We will discuss nursing implications including patient education throughout the process of a cardioversion procedure. An arrhythmia is a change in the rhythm of your heartbeat. Arrhythmias are more serious if you have other heart problems. Cardioversion is a corrective procedure to change or convert an irregular heart rhythm back to normal sinus rhythm. This procedure is usually optional, the patient is awake but sedated and a consent form must be signed before the procedure. According to the website heart.com, cardioversions are performed to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib) or atrial flutter (AFL) and non-life-threatening irregular rhythms in the upper part of the heart. It is also used in less urgent cases to try to return the rhythm to normal. Defibrillation is intended for life-threatening arrhythmias where the patient has no pulse such as ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (PV). The goal of both is to deliver electrical energy to the heart to temporarily shock the heart, allowing a normal sinus rhythm to initiate through the heart's normal pacemaker. For cases where an electric shock is necessary, if the patient is stable and you can see a QRS-t complex, you will use synchronized cardioversion (LOW ENERGY). However, if the patient has no pulse or is unstable and the defibrillator is not synchronizing, you will use non-synchronized (HIGH ENERGY) cardioversion (defibrillation). Patients with arrhythmias may be asystematic. When arrhythmias last long enough to disrupt the heart's functioning, more serious symptoms may occur, such as syncope or fainting, chest pain, and fatigue. In severe cases, collapse and sudden cardiac arrest may occur. Diagnostic tests used to confirm the arrhythmia are chest x-rays, blood tests, a stress test, and an electrocardiogram. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized document from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Test There are other tests or procedures used to determine arrhythmias; however, an electrocardiogram..