Safety of External Electrocardioversion in Device Patients

Arrhythmias of the atria of the heart are a common comorbidity in patients with cardiac rhythm management devices, such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter/defibrillators (ICD). External electrical cardioversion is an established method to achieve rhythm control (restore normal sinus rhythm) in patients with atrial arrhythmia. Little data on safety and efficacy of external electrical cardioversion in patients with cardiac rhythm management devices exists. Thus, available data on the safety of external electrical cardioversion in cardiac rhythm management patients lacks statistical power to accurately reflect the true hazard of external electrical cardioversion in patients with cardiac rhythm management devices. The aim is to systematically include and follow all patients with cardiac rhythm management devices presenting for external electrical cardioversion, to analyse the effects of external electrical cardioversion on leads and devices.