The effect of favipiravir on QTc interval in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 #MMPMID33181454
Cap M; Bilge O; Isik F; Burak C; Karagoz A; Inci U; Akyuz A; Aslan B; Altintas B; Altindag R; Kaya I; Adiyaman MS; Suleymanoglu M; Kaya S; Baysal E
J Electrocardiol 2020[Nov]; 63 (?): 115-119 PMID33181454show ga
BACKGROUND: The effect of favipiravir on the QTc interval during the treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients is unclear. Thus, the current study objective was to evaluate any change in the QTc interval in patients who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 receiving favipiravir treatment. METHOD: Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were assessed in this single-center retrospective study. 189 patients, whose diagnosis was confirmed using real-time PCR, were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups: those using hydroxychloroquine (Group 1, n?=?66), hydroxychloroquine plus favipiravir (Group 2, n?=?66), and favipiravir only (Group 3, n?=?57). The QTc interval was measured before treatment (QTc-B) and 48?h after (i.e., the median) starting treatment (QTc-AT). RESULTS: The median age was 53 (39-66 IQR) and 97 (51%) of patients were female. The median QTc(Bazett)-change was 7?ms (p?=?0.028) and 12?ms (p?0.001) and in Group 1 and 2, respectively. In Group 3, the median QTc(Bazett)-change was observed as -3?ms and was not statistically significant (p?=?0.247). In multivariable analysis, while there was a significant relationship between QTc-AT(Bazett) and hydroxychloroquine (beta coefficient?=?2687, 95%CI 2599-16,976, p?=?0,008), there was no significant relationship with favipiravir (beta coefficient?=?0,180, 95% CI -6435-7724, p?=?0,858). Similarly, there was a significant relationship between the QTc-AT interval calculated using the Fredericia formula and hydroxychloroquine (beta coefficient?=?2120, 95% CI 0,514-14,398, p?=?0,035), but not with favipiravir (beta coefficient?=?0,111, 95% CI -6450- 7221, p?=?0,911). CONCLUSION: In the ECG recordings received in the following days after the treatment was started in COVID-19 patients, there was a significant prolongation in the QTc interval with hydroxychloroquine, but there was no significant change with favipiravir.