Adverse cardiac events related to hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. The disease is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV). The measures to contain the spread of the disease such as social-distancing, hand hygiene, contact tracing, and isolation of persons suspected or confirmed to have the infection have been considered to be largely effective. No specific drugs for COVID-19 have been proven to be effective currently for either prophylaxis or treatment. However, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was suggested as one of the choices of the drug, despite the lack of evidence-based information. We present three case reports of cardiovascular adverse effects, with respect to its propensity to cause QT interval prolongation and potentially serious cardiac arrhythmias.