The term "cardioversion" encompasses both electric cardioversion techniques (e.g. synchronized and unsynchronized) AND chemical cardioversion (e.g. adenosine, amiodarone, etc.)
Even though the term is often used in practice to imply electric cardioversion, such as the way it's used in this card, it is extremely confusing to learners and it makes sense to be as specific as possible, especially when it is being contrasted in this card to the management of stable SVT, which is chemical cardioversion using adenosine.
Source: AMBOSS article on supraventricular tachycardia (https://next.amboss.com/us/article/FS0gYf)
- Section titled "Management", subsection titled "Patients with unstable tachycardia with pulse", direct quote: "Perform synchronized electrical cardioversion for most SVTs."
- Additionally, the AMBOSS pop-up definition for "cardioversion" is as follows: "The restoration of normal heart rhythm in patients with tachycardia or arrhythmia using electric current (electric cardioversion) or drugs (chemical cardioversion)."