The effect of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin combination treatment on T peak-end, QT, corrected QT intervals and T peak-end/QT and T peak-end/corrected QT ratios in patients with COVID-19

Background: Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin are frequently used agents in the treatment of COVID-19. We aimed to investigate the effect of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin combination therapy on repolarization markers of malignant ventricular arrhythmia. Methods: A total of 107 patients, 54 males, and 53 females, who was positive for COVID-19 in terms of the Polymerase Chain Reaction test (PCR) and had typical viral pneumonia on thoracic computed tomography included in the study. These patients were given a combination of 5-day hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin therapy. Electrocardiograms (ECG) were taken before and after this treatment. T peak-end (Tp-e) interval, QT interval, corrected QT (QTc) interval, Tp-e / QT, and Tp-e / QTc values were calculated in the recorded ECGs. Results: Tp-e, QT, QTc intervals, and Tp-e / QT and Tp-e / QTc ratios increased significantly after treatment in both men and women compared to before the treatment. Conclusions: Superficial ECG markers of malignant ventricular arrhythmias were significantly increased in both men and women receiving hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin combination treatment for COVID-19.