Hydroxychloroquine, QTc prolongation and risk of torsades de pointes

Sarah Subhan; Andy Wang; Subo Dey; Wei Tang; Wilbert S Aronow

doi:10.5114/amsad/169982

Hydroxychloroquine, QTc prolongation and risk of torsades de pointes

Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis. 2023 Aug 17:8:e75-e80. doi: 10.5114/amsad/169982. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Sarah Subhan¹, Andy Wang¹, Subo Dey¹, Wei Tang¹, Wilbert S Aronow^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Departments of Medicine, Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
² Departments of Cardiology, Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.

Abstract

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a common medication used for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. As a result of its widespread use during COVID-19, there are increasing concerns about its cardiotoxicity. HCQ is known to cause QTc prolongation, and its long-term use has been associated with cardiomyopathy and conduction abnormalities. Despite reports of ventricular arrhythmia in COVID-19 patients taking HCQ, there have been reassuring data in approved indications. HCQ has been in use for several decades with a good safety profile. In addition to better disease control and prevention of flares, it is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases. But given its small risk of cardiotoxicity, clinicians should be aware of this effect and monitor patients for developing cardiac symptoms.

Keywords: COVID-19; QTc prolongation; cardiotoxicity; hydroxychloroquine; torsades de pointes.