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Anaesthesia for elective direct current cardioversion (DCC) was induced with propofol (Diprivan) 1.2 mg/kg in 28 patients and with 0.2 mg/kg etomidate (Hypnomidate) in 20 patients. These mostly high risk patients (NYHA class II to III) were successfully treated with defibrillation. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before and after induction and at 2 minutes intervals up to 20 minutes after DCC. Both anaesthetic agents caused mild hypotension. Heart rate did not change significantly after induction but fell significantly after DCC from the mean value of 124 +/- 26 bpm and 122 +/- 37 bpm to 94 +/- 19 bpm and to 91 +/- 19 bpm in propofol and etomidate treated patients respectively. Four patients became apnoeic necessitating assisted ventilation for approximately four minutes. All propofol treated patients had rapid recovery times and opened eyes on command within 5.6 +/- 1.9 minutes after induction, and were fully orientated about 4 minutes later also. Complete amnesia was observed in all patients in this group. In contrast etomidate induced anaesthesia did not cause respiratory depression, but the recovery time was longer. Four patients of this group complained of recall of DCC. In 7 patients due to involuntary movements or myoclonus, after induction with etomidate reliable EKG monitoring appeared to be difficult.