Chemo and SVT?

[wannabeagreatRN, BSN, RN]

My father in law underwent his second chemo today and according to my sister in law "almost coded" from what I got from them it sounded like SVT.

His medical team said it's fairly common and from now on will run his chemo at half the rate.

I am a PCU nurse with no chemo experience and I would like to be educated about an event like this. What is the process linking the two? Is there a patient benefit from running it faster? If not, why run it so fast if this is "common"?

Do you just treat using ACLS guidelines or is there one treatment specifically effective in this scenario? Thank you! And I'm sorry for the lack of more details, but I wasn't there. I would just love to know more for future reference.

[dianah, ASN]

First, I am glad your Father-in-Law is doing better after that scary time of SVT during the chemo.

Seems receiving chemo is scary enough without an episode such as he had!

That said, in reality no one on this board is qualified to answer any of your questions as none of us were there to witness the event.

And, more importantly, per the Terms of Service, none of us may offer medical advice.

Your questions are best answered by the staff administering the chemo and by your FIL's medical staff -- those directly involved with his care.

Thank you for your understanding.

I hope you get the answers and reassurance you desire, and I wish him the very best with his treatment.

Closing this now.

[dianah, ASN]

I found the following with an internet search:

Introducing a new entity: chemotherapy-induced arrhythmia | EP Europace

Chemotherapy Side Effects in Arrhythmia | Stanford Health Care

The Chemotherapy Source Book - Google Books

Just a few of many.

Hope they are helpful.