Key result
Hydroxychloroquine linked to reduced cardiovascular risk in rheumatic disease despite rare QTc prolongation.
Why the study?
Widespread use of hydroxychloroquine during COVID-19 raised concerns regarding cardiotoxicity, including QTc prolongation, cardiomyopathy, and conduction abnormalities.
Does hydroxychloroquine cause cardiotoxicity such as QTc prolongation and torsades de pointes?
Does hydroxychloroquine cause cardiotoxicity such as QTc prolongation and torsades de pointes?
Clinicians should be aware of the small risk of cardiotoxicity, including QTc prolongation, associated with hydroxychloroquine and monitor patients accordingly.
Reassuring HCQ safety data in approved indications; leaves open long-term cardiotoxicity risks in broader populations.
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a common medication used for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. As a result of its widespread use during COVID-19, there are increasing concerns about its cardiotoxicity. HCQ is known to cause QTc prolongation, and its long-term use has been associated with cardiomyopathy and conduction abnormalities. Despite reports of ventricular arrhythmia in COVID-19 patients taking HCQ, there have been reassuring data in approved indications. HCQ has been in use for several decades with a good safety profile. In addition to better disease control and prevention of flares, it is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases. But given its small risk of cardiotoxicity, clinicians should be aware of this effect and monitor patients for developing cardiac symptoms.
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Subhan et al. (2023) conducted a review in Rheumatic diseases and COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine was evaluated. Hydroxychloroquine carries a small risk of QTc prolongation and rare torsades de pointes, but its use in approved rheumatic indications is associated with a good safety profile and reduced cardiovascular risk.
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