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QTc prolongation among hydroxychloroquine sulfate-treated COVID-19 patients: An observational study
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  • Bashar Fteiha,
  • Hani Karameh,
  • Ramzi Kurd,
  • Batsheva Ziff-Werman,
  • Itamar Feldman,
  • Alon Bnaya,
  • Sharon Einav,
  • Amir Orlev,
  • Eli Ben-Chetrit
Bashar Fteiha
Shaare Zedek Medical Center

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Hani Karameh
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Ramzi Kurd
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Batsheva Ziff-Werman
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Itamar Feldman
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Alon Bnaya
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Sharon Einav
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Amir Orlev
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Eli Ben-Chetrit
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Abstract

Background: The liberal administration of hydroxychloroquine-sulphate (HCQ) to COVID-19 patients has raised concern regarding the risk of QTc prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias, particularly when prescribed with azithromycin. We evaluated the incidence of QTc prolongation among moderately and severely ill COVID-19 patients treated with HCQ and of the existence of concomitant alternative causes. Methods: All COVID-19 patients treated with HCQ (between Mar 1 and Apr 14, 2020) in a tertiary medical center were included. Clinical characteristics and relevant risk factors were collected from the electronic medical records. Individual patient QTc intervals were determined before and after treatment with HCQ. The primary outcome measure sought was a composite endpoint comprised of either an increase ≥ 60 milliseconds (ms) in the QTc interval compared with pretreatment QTc, and/or a maximal QTc interval >500 ms. Results: Ninety patients were included. Median age was 65 years (IQR 55-75) and 57 (63%) were male. Thirty-nine patients (43%) were severely or critically ill. Hypertension and obesity were common (n=23 each, 26%). QTc prolongation evolved in fourteen patients (16%). Age > 65 years, congestive heart failure, severity of disease, C-reactive protein level, hypokalemia and furosemide treatment, were all associated with QTc prolongation. Adjusted analysis showed that QTc prolongation was five times more likely with hypokalemia [OR 5, (95% CI, 1.3-20)], and three times more likely with furosemide treatment [OR 3 (95% CI, 1.01-13.7)]. Conclusion: In patients treated with HCQ, QTc prolongation was associated with the presence of traditional risk factors such as hypokalemia and furosemide treatment.
16 Jun 2020Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
17 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
17 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor
18 Jun 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
11 Jul 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Aug 20201st Revision Received
11 Aug 2020Assigned to Editor
11 Aug 2020Submission Checks Completed
11 Aug 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
07 Sep 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Sep 20202nd Revision Received
09 Sep 2020Submission Checks Completed
09 Sep 2020Assigned to Editor
09 Sep 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
29 Sep 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 Oct 2020Editorial Decision: Accept
15 Oct 2020Published in International Journal of Clinical Practice. 10.1111/ijcp.13767