Case Report: Right Bundle Brunch Block and QTc Prolongation in a Patient with COVID-19 Treated with Hydroxychloroquine

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020 Jul;103(1):79-82. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0376. Epub 2020 May 7.

Abstract

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus-2 that has resulted in the current global pandemic. Currently, there is no available treatment proven to be effective against COVID-19, but multiple medications, including hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), are used off label. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman without any cardiac history who developed right bundle brunch block and critically prolonged corrected electrocardiographic QT interval (QTc 631 ms) after treatment for 3 days with HCQ, which resolved on discontinuation of the medication. This case highlights a significant and potentially life-threatening complication of HCQ use.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • Brunei
  • Bundle-Branch Block / chemically induced*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine / adverse effects*
  • Hydroxychloroquine / therapeutic use*
  • Long QT Syndrome / chemically induced*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Hydroxychloroquine