cardioversionn.
/ˈkɑːdɪə(ʊ)vəːʃn/, /ˈkɑːdɪə(ʊ)vəːʒn/, U.S. /ˈkɑrdioʊˌvərʒən/, /ˈkɑrdiəˌvərʒən/, /ˈkɑrdioʊˌvərʃən/, /ˈkɑrdiəˌvərʃən/ Medicine.
The treatment of atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias by means of a direct-current shock to the chest, typically during a selected part of the cardiac cycle; an instance of this. In later use also: restoration of the normal rhythm of the heart by any means.
ΚΠ
1963 B. Lown et al. in New Eng. Jrnl. Med. 15 Aug. 325/1 We have designated this method [of terminating cardiac arrhythmias] ‘cardioversion’.
1999 N.Y. Times 12 Dec. i. 44/5 Mr. Bradley's campaign released a letter from his doctor stating that he had been treated three times for irregular heart rhythm since 1996 using a procedure called a cardioversion.
2010 BMJ 2 Jan. 43/1 To restore sinus rhythm, pharmacological or electrical cardioversion can be used.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2021; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1963