Cardioversion vs. Defibrillation

Have you ever watched a medical drama and heard someone yell, “Clear!” before delivering a shock?

That scene likely depicts cardioversion or defibrillation, two life-saving procedures for certain types of arrhythmias. Though both involve electrical shocks to the heart, they serve different purposes.

Let’s break down cardioversion vs. defibrillation, when to use them, and what every nursing student needs to know.

What Is Cardioversion?

Cardioversion is a medical procedure that restores a normal heart rhythm in clients with certain arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib) or atrial flutter (AFlutter).

The goal is to synchronize the heart’s electrical activity and get it back to a normal sinus rhythm.

Types of Cardioversion

There are two types of cardioversion – chemical and electrical.

Electrical cardioversion

This involves delivering a synchronized shock to the heart timed with the client’s QRS complex to avoid shocking during the vulnerable T wave.

The procedure is for AFib, atrial flutter, or stable ventricular tachycardia and is performed under sedation.

Chemical cardioversion

This type doesn’t involve electrical shocks but uses antiarrhythmic medications like amiodarone, procainamide, or adenosine to convert the heart to a normal rhythm.

This is for clients who are stable but require rhythm control.

What Is Defibrillation?

Defibrillation is for emergencies when a client experiences life-threatening arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation (VFib) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Unlike cardioversion, defibrillation delivers an unsynchronized shock — meaning it doesn’t pay attention to the heart’s natural rhythm.

Key Differences Between Cardioversion and Defibrillation

Here are some of the key differences between these two procedures.

Synchronized Cardioversion vs. Defibrillation

If you’re still a bit fuzzy on synchronized cardioversion vs. defibrillation, here’s how to clear it up:

• Synchronized cardioversion: Focused, controlled, and works with the heart’s rhythm.

• Defibrillation: Everyone out of the way! It shocks the heart regardless of rhythm and is used only for severe arrhythmias.

One focuses on precision; the other is all about speed.

Mnemonic of the day:

Cardioversion = Countable pulse.
Defibrillation = Doesn’t have a pulse.

Types of Equipment Used

The tools used for cardioversion and defibrillation are similar but have different purposes.

Here’s the difference between cardioversion vs. defibrillator.

Cardioversion

• Manual defibrillator with sync mode: Often used in hospital settings
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring: Used to time shock delivery

Defibrillation

• Automated external defibrillator (AED): Common in public spaces, providing voice-guided shock delivery

• Manual defibrillator: Used in hospitals and advanced life support settings

Energy Levels and Procedure Differences

Another way to contrast cardioversion vs. defibrillator techniques is how much energy they use.

• Cardioversion: Uses lower energy levels (50-200 joules) and synchronizes with the heart’s rhythm

• Defibrillation: Delivers higher energy shocks (200-360 joules) and doesn’t synchronize with the rhythm

The setup for each procedure differs as well. Cardioversion often involves conscious sedation, while defibrillation is performed during emergencies, often on an unresponsive client.

Risks and Complications

Both procedures come with potential complications that nurses should be aware of:

• Cardioversion risks: Skin burns, thromboembolism (especially in untreated AFib lasting over 48 hours), and transient arrhythmias

• Defibrillation risks: Skin burns, myocardial damage, and broken ribs (if treatment involves CPR)

Practical Scenarios for Nursing Students

Understanding when to use cardioversion vs. defibrillation is essential for nursing students.

Let’s look at real-world scenarios where you might encounter these interventions:

Scenario 1: Atrial Fibrillation with Palpitations

• Client status: Conscious, experiencing palpitations, and maintaining stable blood pressure
• Action: Perform synchronized cardioversion under sedation to restore a normal rhythm.

Scenario 2: Cardiac Arrest with Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia or Ventricular Fibrillation

• Client status: Collapsed, unresponsive, pulseless, and abnormal rhythm on the monitor
• Action: Deliver immediate defibrillation with high energy to attempt rhythm restoration.

Scenario 3: Stable Ventricular Tachycardia Unresponsive to Medications

• Client status: Stable but experiencing persistent VT that’s unresponsive to antiarrhythmic drugs.
• Action: Consider synchronized cardioversion to convert the rhythm safely.

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