How common is it to experience atrial fibrillation in immediate days after a stem cell transplant?
I have read many accounts of others' journeys and it seems that quite a few went into atrial fibrillation. It happened to me twice during my 2 week stay at the hospital for my transplant. It was kinda scary. I've been on daily medication for it since. I have no prior history of any heart problems. I'm hoping this is just because of the transplant and nothing permanent.
Forums
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Janet F - Name: Janet F
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Atrial fibrillation during stem cell transplant
I had atrial fibrillation the night before my hospital release from my 14-day stay for a stem cell transplant. I never had atrial fibrillation before and have not had any recurrence or medications for it.
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Meatwheel - Name: Brian
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 64
Re: Atrial fibrillation during stem cell transplant
EJ went into atrial fibrillation on the 14th day of his stem cell transplant, but it was attributed to an allergic reaction to penicillin.
Lyn
Lyn
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Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Atrial fibrillation during stem cell transplant
Pretty common I think Janet. I had the same thing the day after my transplant in 2014 and have been on a statin and baby aspirin every day since as a precaution, even though I had a full cardiac check a few months after transplant that showed no problems. Three and a half years down the track, I've had no further problems and luckily remain in full remission, so I suspect you will be OK. Of course we all react differently with this thing, so will pay just to have regular checkups. Good Luck, Jim.
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Wainui - Name: Wainui
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Atrial fibrillation during stem cell transplant
It's my understanding that dehydration and electrolytes being out of balance can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation occurring. Both dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance can occur if a person is not eating very much, or is vomiting or experiencing diarrhea regularly. As we all know, those are exactly the sorts of things that can happen during a transplant.
That said, you would think that the regular monitoring and intravenous nutrition that goes on during a transplant would ensure that dehydration and electrolyte imbalances don't occur. Perhaps these side effects can come on quickly enough, however, to cause atrial fibrillation in certain cases where doctors and nurses can't compensate quickly enough for dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
That said, you would think that the regular monitoring and intravenous nutrition that goes on during a transplant would ensure that dehydration and electrolyte imbalances don't occur. Perhaps these side effects can come on quickly enough, however, to cause atrial fibrillation in certain cases where doctors and nurses can't compensate quickly enough for dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
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JimNY
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