Adverse Cardiac Events Among the Patients Using Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin in COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Hydroxychloroquine (HQN) and azithromycin (AZ) were used in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), which might lead to cardiac side effects. Aim: We aimed to describe the safety of HQN and HQN+AZ in terms of cardiac events. Materials and methods: The QTc intervals were calculated by examining the ecg records of the first day and fifth day of hospitalization the patients who received HQN with or without concominant AZ for treatment of Covid 19. Results: We included 93 patients.Moderate QTc prolongation was detected in 3 (7.5%) of 40 patients who received hydroxychloroquine monotherapy for five days. Critical qtc prolongation was not detected in any patient. Three (5.6%) of 53 patients who received dual treatments had moderate QTc prolongation and two patients had critical qtc prolongation. Torsades de pointes was not detected among the patients. Conclusion: Close ECG monitoring is necessary, and the frequency of ECG monitorization should be individualized in patients receiving azithromycin with hydroxychloroquine.