Efecto de los fármacos en la prolongación del QT y la aparición de muerte súbita en la COVID-19 / Effect of Drugs on QT Prolongation and Sudden Death in COVID-19

Introducción: Las evidencias científicas han demostrado que durante el período pandémico por la COVID-19 ha existido un incremento de la incidencia de muerte súbita cardiovascular, proporcional al incremento de los casos y a la letalidad por la enfermedad. Objetivos: Compilar información sobre los fármacos empleados en el tratamiento de la COVID-19 y sus posibles efectos en la prolongación del intervalo QT y la aparición de muerte súbita. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda de información a partir de las bases de datos PubMed, Medline y SciELO, en los idiomas español e inglés en el período de enero de 2020 a enero de 2023. Resultados: Los hallazgos más recientes sugieren que los factores relacionados con el tratamiento médico del paciente para sus enfermedades cardiovasculares previas, el empleo concomitante de drogas para otras comorbilidades, el ensayo de nuevas drogas que se investigan en la actualidad para el tratamiento de la enfermedad y el uso inadecuado de fármacos en complicaciones graves por la COVID-19, pueden ocasionar prolongación del intervalo QT y arritmias ventriculares tipo torsades de pointes, lo que puede conllevar a la aparición de muerte súbita. Conclusiones: Ha sido demostrado el efecto deletéreo de los fármacos en el tratamiento de la COVID-19 y sus posibles asociaciones a la terapéutica del paciente, en la prolongación del tiempo de repolarización ventricular cardíaca, cuya traducción eléctrica es un intervalo QT prolongado y su contribución a la génesis de arritmias malignas potencialmente fatales capaces de desencadenar un paro cardíaco y evolucionar a la muerte súbita(AU)

Scientific evidence has shown an increase in the incidence of sudden cardiovascular death during the COVID-19 pandemic period. This has been proportional to the increase in cases and mortality from the disease. Direct and indirect injury to the myocardium and vascular system allow to partially explain the statistics. Among the factors related to the medical treatment of the patient for previous cardiovascular diseases, it is the concomitant use of drugs for other comorbidities. The trial of new drugs for the treatment of this condition and the inappropriate use of drugs in serious complications from COVID-19 are currently being investigated. These can cause QT prolongation and torsades de pointes ventricular arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden death. Monitoring the QT interval is recommended, before and during treatment, in patients who come to the emergency room with a clinical condition suggestive of COVID-19. Additionally, modifiable factors favoring its prolongation should be evaluated. Decision-making in the application of therapeutic protocols in patients with COVID-19 with prolonged QTc at baseline, or with increased QTc after starting treatment, must go through the analysis of the risk/benefit ratio defined by a multi- and interdisciplinary team(AU)

Taquicardia ventricular polimórfica tipo torsadess de pointes secundaria a estimulación por marcapasos / Polymorphic ventricular taquicardia "torsades de pointes" associated to abnormal pacemaker stimulation

La taquicardia ventricular polimórfica se origina en los ventrículos, cuyos complejos QRS son de morfología, amplitud y dirección variable, con frecuencias que oscilan entre 200 y 250 lpm, pudiendo ser autolimitadas o degenerar en una fibrilación ventricular. La TdP es un tipo de taquicardia ventricular polimórfica caracterizada por complejos con un eje eléctrico que gira alrededor de la línea isoeléctrica y que está asociada a QT largo. Se presenta el caso de una paciente portadora de marcapaso que presenta episodios de taquicardia ventricular polimórfica, con una morfología típica de TdP, sin documentación de QT prolongado previo ni actual, generada por la estimulación ventricular sobre onda T, de forma accidental por desplazamiento del electrodo auricular a Ventrículo Derecho (VD).

Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is a tachycardia originating in the ventricles, where the QRS complexes have variable morphology, amplitude, and direction, with frequencies ranging between 200 and 250 bpm; it may be self-limited or degenerate into ventricular fibrillation. Torsades de Pointes (TdP) is a type of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia characterized by complexes with an electrical axis that rotates around the isoelectric line and that is associated with long QT interval. We present the case of a patient with a pacemaker who presents episodes of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, with a typical morphology of TdP, without documentation of previous or current prolonged QT, generated by ventricular stimulation on the T wave, accidentally due to displacement of the atrial electrode to the Right Ventricle (RV).

A new ECG sign for sudden death: Transient prolonged QT interval following premature contraction / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Early recognition and treatment for early warning electrocardiogram (ECG) of sudden death are very important to prevent and treat malignant arrhythmia and sudden death. Previous studies have found that R-on-T and T wave alternation, and QT interval prolongation are closely related to malignant arrhythmia or sudden death, which are included in the critical value of ECG.By analyzing the ECG characteristics of 4 patients with sudden death, we found that although the causes of the patients were different, there were transient prolongation of QT interval after premature contraction in 12 lead ECG, followed by malignant arrhythmia or sudden death. Thus, we thought that the transient prolongation of QT interval after premature contraction had a high value for warning malignant arrhythmia or sudden death. This phenomenon should be paid enough attention to reduce the risk of sudden death.

Reanimación cardiopulmonar en pacientes con enfermedad por COVID-19 en el ambiente hospitalario / Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with COVID-19 in the hospital environment

Resumen: La pandemia COVID-19 nos ha obligado a replantearnos la manera en la que practicamos algunos aspectos de la medicina. La reanimación cardiopulmonar es una práctica que genera partículas en aerosol provenientes de la vía aérea, lo cual incrementa el riesgo de contagio por SARS-CoV-2. En esta revisión se consultan las recomendaciones internacionales sobre el tema, se definen momentos de alto riesgo y se establecen recomendaciones sobre compresiones, ventilación, terapia eléctrica e incluso farmacológica en pacientes con paro cardíaco y con diagnóstico de COVID-19, buscando no sólo el bienestar del paciente, sino también la seguridad del personal de salud.

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to rethink the way we practice some aspects of medicine. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a practice that generates aerosol particles from the airway, which increases the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this review, the international recommendations on the subject are consulted, high-risk moments are defined and recommendations are established on compressions, ventilation, electrical therapy and even pharmacology in patients with cardiac arrest and with a diagnosis of COVID-19, seeking not only the well-being of the patient, but also the safety of health personnel.

Intervalo QTc prolongado en pacientes de Clínica Médica: estudio multicéntrico

RESUMEN Antecedentes: el síndrome de QT prolongado (SQTP) adquirido se asocia al uso de ciertos fármacos. La detección oportuna del SQTP permite tomar medidas para prevenir arritmias ventriculares potencialmente letales. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia de SQTP en pacientes adultos internados en Servicios de Clínica Médica, describir las características demográficas, clínicas, laboratoriales y el uso de fármacos asociados con la prolongación del intervalo QTc. Materiales y métodos: se aplicó diseño observacional, prospectivo, longitudinal, en varones y mujeres, mayores de 16 años de edad, internados en el Servicio de Clínica Médica del Hospital Nacional (Itauguá, Paraguay) y del Hospital Militar Central (Asunción, Paraguay) en 2019. Se midieron variables demográficas, clínicas, laboratoriales y un electrocardiograma (ECG) al ingreso y a la semana de internación. Se consideró STQL todo valor del intervalo QTc ≥0,45 seg en hombres y ≥0,47 seg en mujeres. Resultados: ingresaron al estudio 257 sujetos, 55% varones y 45% mujeres, con edad media 58±20 años. Se detectó SQTP en 55 pacientes (21%). Los fármacos más utilizados en los pacientes con SQTP fueron omeprazol, furosemida, piracilina-tazobactam, tramadol, ondasentrón, amiodarona, salbutamol, ciprofloxacina, antirretrovirales, levofloxacina, metoclopramida y cotrimoxazol. Conclusión: la frecuencia de SQTP fue 21%. La comorbilidad más frecuente fue la hipertensión arterial (62%). Los fármacos más utilizados en los pacientes con SQTP fueron los de uso común en las salas de Clínica Médica.

ABSTRACT Background: Acquired prolonged QT syndrome (SQTP) is associated with the use of certain drugs. Timely detection of SQTP allows measures to be taken to prevent potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias. Objective: To determine the frequency of SQTP in adult patients admitted to Clinical Medicine Services, to describe the demographic, clinical, laboratory characteristics and the use of drugs associated with prolongation of the QTc interval. Materials and methods: Observational, prospective, longitudinal design was applied in men and women, over 16 years of age, admitted to the Clinical Medicine Service of the National Hospital (Itauguá, Paraguay) and the Central Military Hospital (Asunción, Paraguay) in 2019. Demographic, clinical, laboratory variables and an electrocardiogram (ECG) were measured at admission and at one week of hospitalization. All values ​​of the QTc interval ≥0.45 sec in men and ≥0.47 sec in women were considered STQL. Results: Two hundred fifty-seven subjects, 55% men and 45% women, with a mean age of 58±20 years, entered the study. SQTP was detected in 55 patients (21%) while the most commonly used drugs in patients with SQTP were omeprazole, furosemide, piperacillin-tazobactam, tramadol, ondansetron, amiodarone, salbutamol, ciprofloxacin, antiretroviral drugs, levofloxacin, metoclopramide and cotrimoxazole. Conclusion: The frequency of SQTP was 21% and the most frequent comorbidity was arterial hypertension (62%). The most commonly used drugs in patients with SQTP were those commonly used in the Clinical Medicine rooms.

Clinical Analysis of Levofloxacin-included Prolonged Q-T Interval of Patients with Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis / 医药导报

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and therapy of levofloxacin-induced prolonged Q-T interval in patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis ( MDR-TB) . Methods Clinical materials of 6 patients with MDR-TB who developed prolonged Q-T/QTc interval caused by levofloxacin therapy were analyzed. Those cases were collected from the Tuberculosis Prevention and Control of Wuhan City form April 2010 to August 2014. Results The proportion of patients with levofloxacin-induced prolonged Q-T interval was approximately 3.0%.The condition occurred 2-8 months after the administration. The initial value of QTc interval ranged from 397 ms to 439 ms, while the average was (410.17±14.62) ms.The value of QTc interval was extended to 470-486 ms after treatment of levofloxacin, while the average was (476.33±6.16) ms.The increase of QTc interval was 47-85 ms, while the average was ( 66 ± 11. 48 ) ms. None of them developed Tdp. Conclusion The application of high dosage and long treatment course of levofloxacin in patients with MDR-TB could result in the extension of the Q-T/QTc interval, which should arouse our serious attention. In order to detect the abnormal Q-T/QTc interval in early stage, electrolyte level examination as well as ECG examination should be considered as routine tests before initiation of treatment and during the follow-up treatment.

Aparente amenaza para la vida por el síndrome de QT prolongado / An apparent life threatening secondary to long Qt syndrome

Se presenta el caso de un lactante con un episodio de pérdida de conocimiento, en quien se diagnosticó fibrilación ventricular. Se realizó desfibrilación externa con éxito, permitiendo luego arribar al diagnóstico etiológico de síndrome de QT prolongado, constituyendo un ejemplo documentado de esta entidad como causa del síndrome de muerte súbita del lactante.

We report the case of an infant with an episode of loss of consciousness, in whom ventricular fibrillation was diagnosed. He was successfully defibrillated and long QT syndrome was diagnosed as his baseline disease. This case constitutes a documented example of this entity as a cause of the sudden infant death syndrome.

A Case of Prolonged QT Interval Association with Galantamine / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Among the Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as used for Alzheimer's disease treatment, Galantamine has been recently developed and widely used owing to proven its clinical efficacy and safety. However, it has reported that prolonged QT interval, which can lead to ventricular arrythimias such as Torsade de points, has developed in Galantamine-treated patients. A 74-year-old female Alzheimer's patient been treated with galantamine for 8 months visited the hospital complaining about frequent dizziness. ECG monitor was performed promptly, it was informed that the prolonged QTc interval was increased 450 ms to 486 ms. So, we made her stop taking the galantamine, and after that QTc interval has normalized to 406 ms. In this article, we reported the first case on prolonged QT interval associated with galantamine in Korea.

A Case of Torsade de Pointes after Combined Use of Terfenadine and Itraconazole

Torsade de pointes is a life-threatening, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with prolongation of the QTc interval. Although torsade de pointes is found in many clinical settings, it is mostly drug induced. Similar problems have been described with nonsedating H1-selective antihistamines like terfenadine and astemizole. The increased risks of both H1-antihistamines were associated with exposure to supratherapeutic doses or concomitant exposure to the cytochrome P-450 inhibitors, ketoconazole, erythromycin and cimetidine. We report a 51-year-old woman with torsade de pointes and a long QTc interval caused by the combined use of terfenadine and itraconazole. After discontinuation of these drugs and treatments with electrical cardioversion and magnesium sulfate, torsade de pointes and prolonged QTc interval were no longer observed and she was discharged in good condition with a normal ECG. In conclusion, physicians should be aware that terfenadine and astemizole can cause torsade de pointes in rare cases.