Effect of artemisinin-piperaquine treatment on the electrocardiogram of malaria patients

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2019 May 16:52:e20180453. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0453-2018.

Abstract

Introduction: Concern regarding the cardiotoxicity of antimalarials has been renewed because of their potential to cause QT/QTc interval prolongation related to torsade de pointes (TdP). Artemisinin-piperaquine (AP) is considered an effective artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for malaria.

Methods: This study involved a retrospective analysis of clinical data of 93 hospitalized malaria patients who had received AP orally. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained at specific time points in the original study.

Results: Some cases of QT prolongation were observed. However, no TdP was found.

Conclusions: AP may cause QT interval prolongation in some malaria patients but may not lead to TdP.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antimalarials / adverse effects*
  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use
  • Artemisinins / adverse effects*
  • Artemisinins / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Long QT Syndrome / chemically induced*
  • Long QT Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quinolines / adverse effects*
  • Quinolines / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Artemisinins
  • Quinolines
  • artemisinin
  • piperaquine