DOI: 10.36347/sasjm.2021.v07i05.001

Pages: 165-172

Introduction: While recent studies are still arguing the efficacy of Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin to heal patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, Moroccan’s ministry of health has decided to maintain the protocol using these drugs. The main objective of this study is to characterize the degree and risk of QT prolongation in patients with COVID-19 in association with their use. Methods: This study is a cohort performed at Mohammed V Military Hospital of Rabat, of patients hospitalized with at least 1 positive COVID-19 nasopharyngeal reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result, and who received 10 day of hydroxychloroquine with 7 days of azithromycin from May9 through May26, 2020. Hydroxychloroquine was given orally at 200 mg TID. Azithromycin was given at a dose of 500 mg the first day followed by 250 mg daily for 6 days. Electrocardiogram was performed before the prescription, 2 days after and at the end of treatment. Results: During this period, 327 ECGs were studied, representing 109 unique patients. Their median age was 30 [25.5-44] years and 100% were male. All patients developed a paucisymptomatic form of the virus. Tisdale score varied between 6 and 8 points (89.9%-10.1%). The difference ΔQTc was significant (p<0.01) from day 0 to 10 with a ΔQTc of 16.15 ms. However, the maximal QTc hadn’t exceed 500 milliseconds. None of the patients developed torsades de pointes or any other ventricular arrhythmias. Conclusion: Moroccan experience can reassure the prescribers on the safety of use of this drug combination in the threatening epidemic context.