cardioversion

[ kahr-dee-oh-vur-zhuhn, -shuhn ]

noun

, Medicine/Medical.

1. restoring the rhythm of the heart to normal by applying direct-current electrical shock.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cardioversion¹

First recorded in 1970–75; cardio- + (re)version

Example Sentences

The second time, in addition to an ablation, he underwent an electrical cardioversion, in which paddles that supply an electrical current are used to reset the heart’s rhythm back to a regular pattern.

From Los Angeles Times

You may also need an electrical cardioversion, an outpatient procedure that delivers an electrical shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm.

From Washington Post

If A-fib is confirmed, your doctor may try to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm using a procedure called electrical cardioversion, in which an electrical current is applied to the chest using paddles.

From New York Times

Within a few months, he could not function and went in for a cardioversion.

From Seattle Times

Doctors performed a cardioversion — sending electric shocks to her heart to restore its normal rhythm — and she says she’s been fine ever since.

From Los Angeles Times