title: Direct current cardioversion: indications, techniques, and recent advances.
abstract: Direct current cardioversion/defibrillation is an important part of the intensivist's armamentarium. Emergent application may be lifesaving. Elective cardioversion should be used cautiously, with attention to patient selection and proper techniques. Repetitive, futile attempts at direct current cardioversion should be avoided. Reducing or eliminating arrhythmia precipitants may be safer and more effective than this more dramatic intervention.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Disease and Critical Care Medicine, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. rtrohman@rush.edu
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Trohman
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Parrillo
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000628:therapy*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000628:therapy; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004554:Electric Countershock; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants