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Review
. 2020 Nov;59(2):315-320.
doi: 10.1007/s10840-020-00765-3. Epub 2020 May 16.

Recommendations for the measurement of the QT interval during the use of drugs for COVID-19 infection treatment. Updatable in accordance with the availability of new evidence

Enrique Asensio  1 , Rafael Acunzo  2 , William Uribe  3 , Eduardo B Saad  4 , Luis C Sáenz  5
Affiliations
Review

Recommendations for the measurement of the QT interval during the use of drugs for COVID-19 infection treatment. Updatable in accordance with the availability of new evidence

Enrique Asensio et al. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

COVID-19 infection has shown rapid growth worldwide, and different therapies have been proposed for treatment, in particular, the combination of immune response modulating drugs such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (antimalarials) alone or in combination with azithromycin. Although the clinical evidence supporting their use is scarce, the off label use of these drugs has spread very quickly in face of the progression of the epidemic and the high mortality rate in susceptible populations. However, these medications can pathologically prolong the QT interval and lead to malignant ventricular arrhythmias such that organized guidance on QT evaluation and management strategies are important to reduce morbidity associated with the potential large-scale use.

Keywords: Azithromycin; COVID 19; Chloroquine; Hydroxychloroquine; QT interval; Torsade de pointes.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Torsade de pointes
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
QT measurement and formula for correction
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Measuring QT in presence of U wave
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Decision algorithm for the use of hydroxychloroquine with/without concomitant use of azithromycin in COVID-19 infection
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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