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QT Interval Prolongation in Patients Treated for COVID-19

Habibzadeh, P.; Sarami, A.; Yadollahie, M.; Hashemiasl, K.; Salahi, A.; Habibzadeh, F.

2020-12-11 infectious diseases
10.1101/2020.12.10.20246975 medRxiv
Show abstract

BackgroundMany of the drugs commonly used for the treatment of COVID-19 cause QT interval prolongation and increase the risk of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. It has been shown that maintaining serum potassium and magnesium levels above 4 and 3 mg/dL, respectively, would prevent the QTc prolongation. ObjectiveTo determine if keeping only the serum magnesium level above 3 mg/dL could be considered an effective measure to prevent QTc prolongation in patients with COVID-19 receiving these drugs. MethodsIn a retrograde observational study, QTc interval was measured in 14 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 before and 3 days after initiation of treatment with either hydroxychloroquine or lopinavir-ritonavir, while their serum magnesium levels were kept [≥]3 mg/dL. ResultsThe baseline QTc interval of 412 (SD 36) ms significantly increased by an average of 34 (95% CI 13 to 55) ms after 3 days of treatment. 5 patients, mostly those with lower serum potassium levels, had QTc prolongation [≥]60 ms. ConclusionAlthough it seems that the risk of fatal cardiac arrhythmias in this setting is not high, it is prudent to monitor the serum electrolytes, particularly potassium, in patients with COVID-19 who are treated with either hydroxychloroquine or lopinavir-ritonavir.

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