cardioversion

noun

car·​dio·​ver·​sion ˌkär-dē-ō-ˈvər-zhən How to pronounce cardioversion (audio)
: application of an electric shock in order to restore normal heartbeat

Examples of cardioversion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Fortunately, my relative's A-fib has been successfully treated with medication and cardioversion, a procedure that uses a jolt of electricity to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm. Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 16 Jan. 2024 One technique called electrical cardioversion uses low-energy electrical pulses—shocks, basically—to help reset and normalize the heart’s rhythm. Markham Heid, Time, 25 July 2023 My cardiologist has recommended a third cardioversion, which would require taking 400 mg of Multaq twice a day prior to the procedure, and remaining on this medication for the rest of my life (presuming the procedure is successful; if not, a stronger medication would be required). Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 22 Sep. 2022 Depending on the patient, it can be treated using low-energy shocks used to restore a regular heart rhythm, known as cardioversion, or through medication. Erica Sweeney, Men's Health, 22 Dec. 2022 His parents increasingly relied on electricity—cardioversion for his father’s unreliable heart, shock therapy for his mother’s brain, a wire for self-awareness. Thomas McGuane, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2021 The condition can be treated with a procedure called electrical cardioversion to reset the heart rhythm. Aurelie Corinthios, PEOPLE.com, 29 Aug. 2019 The participants with atrial fibrillation wore the smartwatch before and after a treatment known as cardioversion, a non-emergency procedure that shocks the heart back into a normal rhythm temporarily. Catherine Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2018 Researchers provided Apple Watches to about 50 patients with atrial fibrillation while undergoing procedures at UCSF known as cardioversions to restore normal heart rhythms. Peter Loftus, WSJ, 21 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cardioversion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

cardi- + version (turning of an organ)

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cardioversion was in 1963

Dictionary Entries Near cardioversion

Cite this Entry

“Cardioversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cardioversion. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

cardioversion

noun
car·​dio·​ver·​sion
-ˈvər-zhən also -shən
: application of an electric shock in order to restore normal heartbeat
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