What technique involves applying an electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm?

The technique that involves applying an electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm is known as cardioversion. This procedure is specifically used to treat certain types of arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, by delivering a synchronized electric shock to the heart during a specific point in its rhythm. The goal of cardioversion is to reset the heart's electrical system and restore a normal sinus rhythm.

In contrast, defibrillation also involves delivering an electrical shock to the heart, but it is typically used in emergency situations for life-threatening arrhythmias like ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. While both techniques use electric shocks, their applications and the specific contexts in which they are used differ.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique used in emergencies when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped, but it does not involve an electrical shock. Similarly, coronary angiography is a diagnostic procedure that uses imaging to visualize the heart's blood vessels and does not involve restoring heart rhythm. Understanding these distinctions highlights the specific role that cardioversion plays in managing certain heart rhythm disturbances.