The effect of hydroxychloroquine on ventricular repolarization parameters JTc and JTpc intervals in patients with COVID-19

INTRODUCTION: JT and JTp intervals are among the ventricular repolarization parameters and prolongation, just as the QT interval is related to ventricular arrhythmias. This study aims to examine the effect of hydroxychloroquine on JTc and JTpc intervals in individuals hospitalized with COVID-19.
METHODS: We involved 130 COVID-19 patients divided into two groups as the hydroxychloroquine treatment group and the control group, in this study. ECGs of the patients were recorded at admission and after a median of 48 hours following the initiation of hydroxychloroquine treatment. Then, QTc, JTc, and JTpc intervals were measured.
RESULTS: Patients’ average age was 48 (37-66 IQR), and 53% of the individuals were female, while 47% are male. The median basal JTpc interval was 215 ms(195-230 IQR), while JTpc-Day 3 was 220 ms(195-238 IQR). The median basal JTc interval was 320 ms(301-334 IQR), while JTc-Day 3 was 328 ms(306-343 IQR). JTpc and JTc interval in the hydroxychloroquine group have prolonged significantly (p<0.001), while there were no significant changes in the control group for both values (p>0.05).
There was a significant prolongation in the multivariable linear regression analysis in JTc-Day 3 and JTpc-Day 3 after hydroxychloroquine treatment. (ß=-2.589, 95%CI, 2.384-17.894, p=0.011, ß=2.195, 95%CI, 759-14.752, p=0.030, respectively).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In this study, we found significant prolongation in JTc and JTpc intervals in the patients who take hydroxychloroquine treatment.