Final answer:
Electrical cardioversion is not usually recommended unless the patient's heart rate is above 100 bpm. It is a procedure used for severe tachycardia cases and must be cautiously applied to avoid complications like ventricular fibrillation or burns. Treatment varies based on the cause of tachycardia and may include medications or surgical interventions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Generally speaking, electrical cardioversion is not recommended as the initial therapy for patients unless the heart rate is above 100 beats per minute (bpm). This procedure is typically reserved for severe tachycardia, where the resting heart rate is significantly elevated, as tachycardia is defined as a heart rate above 100 bpm in adults. Tachycardia can be a response to various physiological states or conditions, including extreme stress, pregnancy, fever, anemia, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or cardiovascular disorders.
When considering cardioversion, it is important to be aware that applying greater currents to the heart could disrupt its electrical patterns, potentially leading to ventricular fibrillation, a condition characterized by an irregular and ineffective heartbeat that can be fatal if circulation is not rapidly restored. The threshold for ventricular fibrillation is typically between 100 and 300 mA and amounts around or above 300 mA can cause burns, especially if the current is concentrated.
Treatment of tachycardia generally depends on the underlying cause. It may include a variety of approaches beyond electrical cardioversion, such as medications, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), ablation, or surgery, tailored to the specific needs of the patient.