Recent findings on cardiovascular safety with the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19.

In a recent review article, Aggarwal, et al1 discussed the implications for cardiovascular safety of the potential therapies for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. The authors highlight the potential toxicities and cardiovascular side effects of the controversial use of chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) that should be taken into consideration before its use. At this time, other implications for cardiovascular safety, along with the prolongation of QT interval reported in small size studies2-7, have recently been addressed in regard to the use of CQ and HCQ, alone or in combination with a second-generation macrolide antibiotic (azithromycin or clarithromycin), for the treatment of COVID-19 and the discussion of the potential harm of these drugs is highly relevant and worthy of careful review.
Source: The American Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Reader's comments Source Type: research