Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have developed a method for converting cardiac rhythm disturbances to a normal state utilizing ultrasound technology. The method of this invention is a therapeutic application of ultrasound technology. It is a simple, low cost method that allows for conversion of cardiac rhythm disturbances without the need of patient sedation and without creating a painful electrical shock. This use of ultrasound technology can also be applied as a diagnostic to determine which patients may be vulnerable to rhythm disturbances. Porcine studies have demonstrated successful induction of arrhythmia using this method. Additional studies are ongoing to determine the mechanism for rhythm disturbances and methods for induction of sustained rhythm disturbance in the porcine model.