Adverse Cardiac Events Among thePatients Using Hydroxychloroquine andAzithromycin in COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Hydroxychloroquine (HQN) and azithromycin (AZ) were used in the treatmentof 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 ofthe first day and fifth day of hospitalization the patients who received HQN with or withoutconcominant AZ for treatment of Covid 19.Results: We included 93 patients.Moderate QTc prolongation was detected in 3 (7.5%) of40 patients who received hydroxychloroquine monotherapy for five days. Critical qtcprolongation was not detected in any patient. Three (5.6%) of 53 patients who received dualtreatments 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 monitorizationshould be individualized in patients receiving azithromycin with hydroxychloroquine.