QTc interval prolongation in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and treated with antiviral drugs☆☆☆ Evolución del intervalo QTc en pacientes con infección SARS-COV-2 tratados con farmacos antivirales

ABSTRACT

Introduction Many antiviral agents, such as hydroxychloroquine, have been used to treat COVID-19, without being broadly accepted. QTc prolongation is a worrisome adverse effect, scarcely studied in pediatrics. Patients and methods Paediatric patients affected from COVID-19 who received antivirals were matched (12) with controls not infected nor exposed. Electrocardiograms were prospectively analyzed at baseline, during the first 72 h of treatment and after 72 h. Results Eleven (22.9%) out of 48 patients admitted due to COVID-19 (March–July 2020) received antiviral therapy. All had underlying diseases congenital heart disease (4/11;36.4%) and immunosuppression (3/11;27.3%) stand out. 5/11 (45.5%) received treatment at baseline with a potential effect on QTc. There where no differences observed in the baseline QTc between cases and controls 414.8 ms (49.2) vs 416.5 ms (29.4), (P = .716). Baseline long QT was observed in 2/11 cases and 2/22. Among cases, 10/11 (90.9%) received hydroxychloroquine, mainly associated with azithromycin (8/11;72.7%), 3 received lopinavir/ritonavir and one remdesivir. The median increase in QTc after 72 h under treatment was 28.9 ms [IQR 48.7] (P = .062). 4/11 (36.4%) patients had a long QTc at 72 h, resulting in 3 patients ≥500 ms;treatment was stopped in one (QTc 510 ms) but ventricular arrhythmias were not documented. Conclusions The use of antivirals caused an increase on the QTc interval after 72 h of treatment, being the QTc long in 36.3% of the patients, although no arrhythmic events were observed. The use of hydroxychloroquine and antivirals requires active QTc monitoring and it is recommended to discontinue treatment if QTc > 500 ms.