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Cardiovascular Considerations of Experimental Hydroxychloroquine Therapy on Patients Diagnosed With COVID-19: A Case Series Review
Internal Medicine
  • Jay D. Patel, DO, HCA Healthcare
  • Radhika Patel, HCA Healthcare
  • Lyd-Marie Rodriguez-Garcia, HCA Healthcare
  • Anamarys Blanco, HCA Healthcare
  • Alan Hamza, HCA Healthcare
Division
North Florida
Hospital
Ocala Regional Medical Center
Document Type
Case Report
Publication Date
7-12-2020
Keywords
  • covid 19,
  • sars-cov-2,
  • prolonged qt,
  • bradycardia,
  • risk-benefit
Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic and its high virulence along with its variable presentation have generated a significant amount of interest within the medical community. The heterogeneous nature of the symptoms of the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), ranging from being asymptomatic to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), has created significant interest in potential therapeutics. Given the lack of randomized controlled trials, most medications are experimental, and only anecdotal evidence is available so far regarding their efficacy. One medication that emerged as an early frontrunner as a promising therapeutic was hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a common antimalarial and lupus drug. The adverse side effects that could result from its use did not gain much attention initially. We present the cases of two COVID-19-positive patients treated with HCQ at our institution, which showed adverse effects of the medication. While HCQ may have some therapeutic effect, it should be borne in mind that patients may experience more harm than benefit from its use.

Publisher or Conference
Cureus
Citation Information
Patel J, Patel R, Rodriguez L, et al. (July 12, 2020) Cardiovascular Considerations of Experimental Hydroxychloroquine Therapy on Patients Diagnosed With COVID-19: A Case Series Review. Cureus 12(7): e9151. doi:10.7759/cureus.9151