Key result
Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine use in COVID-19 patients is non-beneficial and increases the risk of QT prolongation, ventricular arrhythmias, and in-hospital death.
Why the study?
Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are used to treat COVID-19 despite inducing QT prolongation, and it is unknown whether COVID-19 itself affects the QTc interval.
Do chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine cause QT prolongation and arrhythmias in COVID-19 patients?
Do chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine cause QT prolongation and arrhythmias in COVID-19 patients?
This review highlights the risk of QT prolongation and subsequent life-threatening arrhythmias associated with the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients.
QT prolongation risk with CQ/HCQ warrants ECG monitoring in COVID-19; leaves optimal dosing and arrhythmia incidence open.
In the struggle against COVID-19 pandemic, chloroquine (CQ) (a 4-aminoquinoline) and its derivative hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have both been used as a potential form of treatment among infected patients. Originally known as an antimalarial quinolone, many countries have adopted their use as an option to treat COVID-19 patients. In humans, dose-dependent chloroquine induces QT interval prolongation. It also blocks the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG), which encodes the rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ channel. The action potential duration is then prolonged, as the eventual QTc interval of the electrocardiogram (ECG), resulting in torsade de pointes and cardiac arrhythmias that could lead to sudden death. It is yet unknown whether COVID-19 itself has any effect on the QTc interval. The current review established what is new and different from other studies involving the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine among COVID-19 patients plus the corresponding QT interval prolongation in affected individuals.
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Herbert et al. (2022) conducted a review in COVID-19. Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine was evaluated. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine use in COVID-19 patients is non-beneficial and increases the risk of QT prolongation, ventricular arrhythmias, and in-hospital death.
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