STATE OF THE ART PAPER
Hydroxychloroquine, QTc prolongation and risk of torsades de pointes
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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
Submission date: 2023-06-15
Acceptance date: 2023-07-25
Publication date: 2023-08-17
Corresponding author
Sarah Subhan
Departments of Medicine, Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis 2023;8(1):75–80
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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.