Yes, they are interchangeable.

Usually when we use the therm cardioversion we mean synchronized dc shock. When the use the therm defibrillation we mean unsynchronized shock.

But some authors add the specification synchronized or unsynchronized to the therm cardioversion.

To avoid misunderstanding you can add the therm "synchronized" to the expression "electrical cardioversion" and "direct current cardioversion". It depends also which topic you are discussing. If you are talking about atrial fibrillation you can use any form of therms you mentioned.

Hi Tahmina, I'm still using the three definitions to indicate the same procedure, but I think this is a mistake. Currently available ICDs deliver antitachycardia pacing to revert sustained monomorphic Vtach back to sinus rhythm. In this way you obtain a cardioversion through an electrical therapy that is very far away from a DC shock, don't you agree?

Very good point, Antonio. 

Also, in some patients with a temporary or permanent pacemaker that develop atrial tachycardias or atrial flutter we can stop the arritmia with atrial overdrive pacing.

To solve the problem some authors use the expression "external electrical cardioversion".

Take a look here: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/106/6/649.long

Thx Radu.

Moreover, patients implanted with ICD who develop persistent nodal-independent supraV arrhythmias require an internal electrical cardioversion. This terminology should be considered as well, in my opinion.

The odd one out is the second which includes the word synchronised. The others omit the word so could be unsynchronised as used in ventricular fibrillation.

In part - not qite the same

Those terms are quite often used interchangeably for a synchronized shock.  I think it depends on the audience.  It's easier to tell patients they are having an electrical cardioverson.  There are of course pharmacologic (e.g. ibutilide) carvioversions and spontaneous (e.g. while giving diltiazem) cardioversions.  In my cardioversion notes I usually say "synchronized shock of 200J". I think the main thing is to be clear on is that the indication for the shock wasn't defibrillation of VF or a polymorphic VT (as you can use synchronized shocks for monomorphic VT).

Dear ALL,

well I would say that not all three are interchangeable.

while Electrical cardioversion and direct current cardioversion. could be; synchronised direct current dc shock means that you have a elecrtrical Cardioversion with the DC shock sincronized on the QRS, therefore a secific modality of delivering the Dc Shock.

KRS

A

A few things have been mixed up including ICD.

Electrical cardioversion and synchronised direct current DC shock are two terms that used interchangeably. In fact, electrical cardioversion (direct-current or DC cardioversion) is delivered through synchronized electrical current shock.

the synchronised is differnt . is used for atrial fib . the others are the same for VF

Synchronised DC shock is for Atrial Fibr. VF does not need synchronization.