title: Ask the doctor. A few months ago, I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. My doctor put me on blood thinners for a few weeks and then performed electrical cardioversion. Naturally, I was asleep during the procedure, but I understand that they shocked me twice and both times my heart briefly returned to a normal rhythm. But after a few seconds it went back into atrial fibrillation. NOw my doctor has offered me a choice. I can stay in atrial fibrillation and take a blood thinner for the rest of my life. Or I can try a medication to restore a normal heart rhythm and give cardioversion another try (but I'll probably have to take the antiarrhythmia drug for a long time). Any suggestions?
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004554:Electric Countershock; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D000638:Amiodarone