Wide complex tachycardia in a patient with COVID-19 treated with chloroquine/azithromycin

Abstract

ABSTRACT Azithromycin and chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine are being used internationally off-label to treat patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on in vitro and weak studies involving humans. However, the evidence about the benefit of these drugs is very uncertain and on the other hand, information regarding possible harms is on the rise. There are increasing reports associating chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine with/without azithromycin with prolonged QT and ventricular arrhythmias (monomorphic or polymorphic ventricular tachycardia) in COVID-19 patients. We present the case of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-infected kidney transplant patient for which he received treatment with chloroquine plus azithromycin and on Day 4 of therapy, the patient suddenly developed a wide complex tachycardia. Because of the increasing reports of adverse effects related to these drugs, their use should be avoided until further evidence of clinical benefit is available.