It depends...sometimes it would works for a day, a week maybe a couple of months. I have probably had a cardio version about 10 times maybe more. Had an ablation done years ago and got eight year free of A-fib. Had another ablation for A-flutter and then another ablation for A-Fib. Still took meds to control A-fib but they also stopped working. Six years ago I got a pacemaker and an AV node ablation which means I'm totally depend on the pacemaker. But the upper part of my heart is still in A-fib all the time (some fun). After all that I have to say that the pacemaker has really helped keep me out of the ER and improved my quality of life. Good Luck

I agree with you Steve…..abalation is the best route….:.highly recommended over cardio conversion

Greetings Goldengirl, all I can say is you have to have confidence in your medical team when you make any decisions regarding your care and treatments. Your starting on the right track asking others that have been through it and analyzing their responses. I have read a number of the responses and everyone has pros and cons. In my case the cardioversions were nicely put of no value, I had a total of 8 over a 6 month span, on different anti arrythmics and not one cardioversion held more than 48 hours. Finally she did an ablation and I've been afib free since around 6 years. The worst side effect I had was burns where the pads were placed but that was it and I felt it was worth trying because it was the least invasive we could do the ablation was the second most invasive, the maze is the most and I don't want to go there. God bless and good luck in your treatments.

I have had many cardioversions and all of them were a success. They don't last forever but they do get the heart back into a regular rhythm. Hugs

That makes sense, besides I don't like the idea of being jolted.