cardioversion /-vur″zhən/ [Gk, kardia + L, vertere, to turn] , the restoration of the heart’s normal sinus rhythm through an electric shock delivered by a defibrillator. Application of the shock is synchronized to the QRS complex. Cardioversion is used to slow the heart or to restore the heart’s normal sinus rhythm when drug therapy is ineffective at doing so. Cardioversion may also be done pharmacologically, with IV antiarrhythmic medication. Also called cardiovert.
