Triple Combination with Direct Acting Antivirals in the Treatment of Hepatitis C Does not Prolong the QT Interval.

Aims: Antiviral drugs are considered as potentially cardiotoxic, due to prolongation of QT interval which may affect incidence of severe ventricular arrhythmias. The main aim of this retrospective study was to assess the influence of treatment by three antiviral drugs on QT interval and to find patients who are at an increased risk of developing malignant ventricular arrhythmias.

Methods: The study included 23 patients (14 men, 9 women) who were treated with a combination of interferon alpha, ribavirin, and an NS3/4A protease inhibitor. The parameters from the 12 leads electrocardiograms were evaluated before treatment, and then 3 ± 1 and 6 ± 1 months after treatment.

Results: Heart rate (HR) 69 ± 12 / min and corrected QT interval (QTc) 412 ± 35 ms were obtained before the treatment and there was not observed a significant prolongation of intervals after 3 months (HR 72 ± 11 / min, QTc 412 ± 33 ms) and after 6 months (HR 64 ± 12 / min, QTc 405 ± 28 ms) respectively. In total QTc interval was prolonged from the baseline in 53% and in 43% of the patients 3 months respectively 6 months after treatment. A QTc prolongation over of 450 ms and new treatment-related repolarization change was noted in 1 (4%) patient.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that a combination therapy of 3 antiviral drugs does not significantly prolong the QTc interval and does not cause severe pathological changes on the ECG. Patients undergoing this treatment are not at risk of developing heart disease as an undesirable side effect.