Final answer:
Cardioversion is a procedure used to treat atrial flutter if it results in a heart rate of 150 bpm or higher and involves delivering a controlled electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm. It is crucial for preventing complications such as stroke or heart failure, and its use depends on the severity of symptoms and arrhythmia characteristics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cardioversion is a medical procedure used to treat atrial flutter or other heart arrhythmias. When the heart rate, or pulse, is ≤150 beats per minute (bpm), this rhythm disturbance is categorized as tachycardia, which is not normal while resting. Atrial flutter and other tachycardias may require urgent treatment if they lead to severe symptoms. The cardioversion procedure involves delivering a controlled electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm.
This method can be critical for preventing potential life-threatening complications, such as stroke or heart failure, particularly when the arrhythmia is associated with a fast heart rate. For individuals with atrial flutter and a heart rate at or below 150 bpm, cardioversion may not be immediately necessary unless symptoms are severe. Decisions on treatment strategies, including the use of cardioversion, depend on the specific characteristics of the arrhythmia and the patient's clinical presentation.