Pre and post instructions
Pre instructions:
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PT/INR will be drawn either the day before or the morning of your procedure.
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Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure.
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Take your morning medications with sips of water only.
Post procedure:
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Recovery time is approximately 2 hours.
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You will not be able to eat or drink any thing for approximately 2 hours after the procedure unless directed otherwise from your physician.
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After 2 hours if cold liquids are taken without any problems, then you may resume eating.
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Mild throat soreness for several hours after the test is normal.
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Do not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least 12 hours after test.
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You may have red or irritated skin from the large patches that delivered the shocks.
What to expect:
First your cardiologist will perform a TEE to rule out a clot in the left atrium. If no clots are visualized the cardioversion will proceed.
An IV will be started for fluids and medications. A mild sedative will be given through the IV by an anesthesiologist. You will also have adhesive skin electrodes applied to the chest and then attached to a heart monitor. Large patches will also be placed on your chest. These will deliver the shocks needed to convert your heart into normal sinus rhythm.