Early Alterations of QTc in Patients with COVID-19 Treated with Hydroxychloroquine or Chloroquine in Libreville, Gabon

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine associated with azithromycin on the QTc interval in Gabonese patients treated for COVID-19. Methods: This was an observational study conducted from April to June 2020, at the Libreville University Hospital Cen...

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Published inClinics and practice Vol. 12; no. 4; pp. 482 - 490
Main Authors Ayo Bivigou, Elsa, Manomba Boulingui, Charlene, Bouraima, Aridath, Allognon, Christian, Akagha Konde, Christelle, Atsame, Gabrielle, Kinga, Armel, Boguikouma, Jean B., Kouna Ndouongo, Philomène, Bouyou Akotet, Marielle K.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Bari MDPI AG 30.06.2022
MDPI
Subjects
Blood pressure
Cardiac arrhythmia
chloroquine
Consent
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Diabetes
Drugs
Electrocardiography
Gabon
hydroxychloroquine
Hypertension
Hypokalemia
Industrialized nations
Infections
Mortality
Obesity
Otolaryngology
Pandemics
Patients
QTc
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Sociodemographics
Ventilators
Gabon
Africa
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Summary:The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine associated with azithromycin on the QTc interval in Gabonese patients treated for COVID-19. Methods: This was an observational study conducted from April to June 2020, at the Libreville University Hospital Center in Gabon. Patients admitted for COVID-19 and treated with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, each combined with azithromycin were included. The QTc interval was measured upon admission and 48 h after starting treatment. The primary endpoint was QTc prolongation exceeding 60 ms and/or a QTc value exceeding 500 ms at 48 h. Results: Data from 224 patients, 102 (45.5%) who received hydroxychloroquine and 122 treated with chloroquine, were analyzed. The median baseline QTc was 396 (369–419) ms. After 48 h of treatment, 50 (22.3%) patients had a significant prolongation of QTc. This tended to be more frequent in patients treated with chloroquine (n = 33; 27.0%) than in those treated with hydroxychloroquine (n = 17; 16.7%) (p = 0.06). QTc prolongation exceeding 60 ms was found in 48 (21.3%) patients, while 11 patients had a (4.9%) QTc exceeding 60 ms at admission and exceeding 500 ms after 48 h. Conclusion: Early QTc prolongation is frequent in COVID-19 patients treated with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine in association with azithromycin.
ISSN:2039-7283
2039-7275
2039-7283
DOI:10.3390/clinpract12040052