Effect of Drugs on QT Prolongation and Sudden Death in COVID-19

Authors

  • Luis Alberto Ochoa Montes Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico "Hermanos Ameijeiras"
  • Daisy Ferrer Marrero
  • Mileidys I González Lugo
  • Nidia Doris Tamayo Vicente
  • Rafael Emilio Araujo González

Keywords:

COVID-19, prolonged QT, malignant ventricular arrhythmias, sudden death, drugs.

Abstract

Scientific evidence has shown an increase in the incidence of sudden cardiovascular death during the COVID-19 pandemic period. This has been proportional to the increase in cases and mortality from the disease. Direct and indirect injury to the myocardium and vascular system allow to partially explain the statistics. Among the factors related to the medical treatment of the patient for previous cardiovascular diseases, it is the concomitant use of drugs for other comorbidities. The trial of new drugs for the treatment of this condition and the inappropriate use of drugs in serious complications from COVID-19 are currently being investigated. These can cause QT prolongation and torsades de pointes ventricular arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden death. Monitoring the QT interval is recommended, before and during treatment, in patients who come to the emergency room with a clinical condition suggestive of COVID-19. Additionally, modifiable factors favoring its prolongation should be evaluated. Decision-making in the application of therapeutic protocols in patients with COVID-19 with prolonged QTc at baseline, or with increased QTc after starting treatment, must go through the analysis of the risk/benefit ratio defined by a multi- and interdisciplinary team.

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Luis Alberto Ochoa Montes, Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico "Hermanos Ameijeiras"

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1905-5664  

Daisy Ferrer Marrero

II Máster en Ciencias de la Educación Superior. Especialista de I y II Grado en Anatomía Patológica, Profesora Auxiliar. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas “Victoria de Girón”. Universidad Médica de La Habana. La Habana, Cuba

Mileidys I González Lugo

Licenciada en enfermería. Máster en Ciencias en Investigación en Aterosclerosis. Clínica de Salud Mental MININT. Boyeros. La Habana, Cuba

IV Máster en Ciencias en Investigación en Aterosclerosis. Especialista de I Grado en Medicina General Integral y Medicina Interna, Profesora Auxiliar. Policlínico Docente “Pulido Humarán”. La Lisa. La Habana, Cuba

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9724-6514

Nidia Doris Tamayo Vicente

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4657-8831

Rafael Emilio Araujo González

Máster en Ciencias en Investigación en Aterosclerosis. Especialista de I Grado en Medicina General Integral y Medicina Interna, Profesora Auxiliar. Policlínico Docente “Pulido Humarán”. La Lisa. La Habana, Cuba

V Doctor en Ciencias Filosóficas. Centro de Estudios Demográficos de La Universidad de La Habana. La Habana, Cuba

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5406-2114

Downloads

Published

2023-09-18

How to Cite

1.
Ochoa Montes LA, Ferrer Marrero D, González Lugo MI, Tamayo Vicente ND, Araujo González RE. Effect of Drugs on QT Prolongation and Sudden Death in COVID-19. Rev Cubana Med [Internet]. 2023 Sep. 18 [cited 2026 Feb. 2];62(3). Available from: https://revmedicina.sld.cu/index.php/med/article/view/3227

Issue

Vol. 62 No. 3 (2023): julio-septiembre (en progreso)

Section

Review articles

License

The Cuban Journal of Medicine protects the author's patrimonial rights. However, it is licensed under a Creative Commons Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/deed.es_ES which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided that the primary source of publication is duly cited. The author always retains his moral rights.

 

You are free to:

- Share - copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.

- Adapt - remix, transform and build upon the material

- The license cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the terms of the license.

Under the following terms:

- Attribution - You must give proper credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes have been made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in such a way as to suggest that you or your use is supported by the licensor.

- Non-Commercial Purpose- You may not make use of the material for commercial purposes.

- No Additional Restrictions - You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from making any use permitted by the license.