are cardioversions safe?

[justanumber]

i have bad cases of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. my heart rate gets up to 185,i have shortness of breath,i sweat a lot and my chest is burning and i get very dizzy. my cardiologist suggested that i get cardioverted. i do not want that,and i have run of of B-blockers. how safe is cardioversion? they use propofol and i have never been put under.

[DeltaDawn23]

Another thought -- the longer you are in Afib, the harder it is to convert.  Sounds you are paroximal now or perhaps persistent?  It can become permanent as Jerry_NJ indicated above.

[DeltaDawn23]

I have the exact same condition -- Afib with a rapid ventricular response.  I have had 2 medical cardioversion and 2 electro-conversions.  I think this is a case where you have to take a calculated risk.  If your blood is thinned or they do an teeg, to make sure you have no clots, your risk is minimal as I understand it.  Your risk of wearing out your heart or doing damage with a high heart rate is more.  I could not be converted with meds the last 2 times and was so thankful that electro-cardioversion was available.  I was sedated, briefly, like less than a minute.  When I awoke, I was in normal rhythm.  I went from all the symptoms you describe to feeling so much better.  The first time it was a few days before I felt better, but I had been on a lot of meds to try to convert me.  The second time I was fine in a day or so, because they just tried one or two meds, then electroconverted me.  I am now on a anti-arrythmic and it is keeping me out of Afib.
Your doctor is your best resource.  I would not be afraid of the electro-conversion.  Some people do it outpatient.  I know one fellow who would drive himself to the hospital and drive himself home.  Good luck . . . I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[Jerry_NJ]

If your cardiologist recommends, consider it safe unless he notes some specific high risk factor in your case.

I assume you are asking about an electrocardioversion... conversion with just medication is usually tried first.  Beta Blockers, then Anti-Arrhythmic drugs.  If these do not stop your AFib my experience is electrocardioversion is next.  

With the severity of the symptoms you have something needs to be done.

I consider, I have had 4, electrocardioversions safe and easy to recover from, just a day of rest.  Given my history, it is obvious electrocardioversion were not permanent, the best I was able to do was get 18 months of relief and that required I continue to take medications.