Navigating the Minefield of QTc Interval-Prolonging Therapy in Nursing Facility Residents

Prevalence, Attributes, and Risk Factors of QT-Interval-Prolonging Drugs and Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Cancer Patients: A Prospective Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction Cancer chemotherapy regimens include multiple classes of adjuvant drugs as supportive therapy. Because of the concurrent intake of other drugs (like antiemetics, antidepressants, analgesics, and antimicrobials), there is a heightened risk for possible QT interval prolongation. There is a dearth of evidence in the literature regarding the usage of QT-prolonging anticancer drugs and associated risk factors that have the propensity to prolong QT interval. The purpose was to explore the extent of the use of QT-interval-prolonging drugs and potential QT-prolonging drug-drug interactions (QT-DDIs) in cancer patients attending OPD in a tertiary-care hospital. Methods This was a hospital-based, cross-sectional, observational study. Risk stratification of QT-prolonging drugs for torsades de pointes (TdP) was done by the Arizona Center for Education and Research on Therapeutics (AzCERT)/CredibleMeds-lists, and potential QT-DDIs were determined with four online DDI-checker-software. Results In 1331 cancer patients, the overall prevalence of potential QT-prolonging drug utilization was 97.3%. Ondansetron, pantoprazole, domperidone, and olanzapine were the most frequent QT-prolonging drugs in cancer patients. The top six antineoplastics with potential QT-prolonging and torsadogenic actions were capecitabine, oxaliplatin, imatinib, bortezomib, 5-fluorouracil, and bendamustine. Evidence-based pragmatic QTc interval prolongation risk assessment tools are imperative for cancer patients. Conclusion This study revealed a high prevalence of QT-prolonging drugs and QT-DDIs among cancer patients who are treated with anticancer and non-anticancer drugs. As a result, it's critical to take precautions, stay vigilant, and avoid QT-prolonging in clinical situations. Evidence-based pragmatic QTc interval prolongation risk assessment tools are needed for cancer patients.

Use of Electrocardiogram Monitoring in Adult Patients Taking High-Risk QT Interval Prolonging Medicines in Clinical Practice: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Introduction

Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring is an important tool to detect and mitigate the risk of potentially fatal drug-induced QT prolongation and remains fundamental in supporting the quality use of high-risk QT interval prolonging medicines.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to determine the prevalence of baseline and/or follow-up ECG use in adult patients taking high-risk QT interval prolonging medicines in clinical practice.

Methods

CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, EThOS, OpenGrey and Proquest were searched for studies in adults that reported ECG use at baseline and/or at follow-up in relation to the initiation of a high-risk QT interval prolonging medicine in any clinical setting; either hospital or non-hospital. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Proportional meta-analysis was conducted with all studies reporting baseline ECG use, before medicine initiation, and follow-up ECG use, within 30 days of medicine initiation.

Results

There was variability in baseline ECG use according to the practice setting. The prevalence of baseline ECG use for high-risk QT interval prolonging medicines was moderate to high in the hospital setting at 75.1% (95% CI 64.3–84.5); however, the prevalence of baseline ECG use was low in the non-hospital setting at 33.7% (95% CI 25.8–42.2). The prevalence of follow-up ECG use was low to moderate in the hospital setting at 39.2% (95% CI 28.2–50.8) and could not be determined for the non-hospital setting.

Conclusions

The use of ECG monitoring for high-risk QT interval prolonging medicines is strongly influenced by the clinical practice setting. Baseline ECG use occurs more in the hospital setting in comparison to the non-hospital setting. There is lower use of follow-up ECG in comparison to baseline ECG.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40264-022-01215-x.

Quality, efficacy, safety-it is not enough!

There is a need of comparative studies to understand the differences in term of efficacy and safety of drugs with different mechanisms of action but similar therapeutic indications. This requires changes in the European Legislation of criteria for drug approval.

An Observational Study of QTc Prolongation in Critically Ill Patients: Identification of Incidence and Predictors

AIMS

Despite the importance of abnormal QTc interval values in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, there is a paucity of information on this topic. The current study was designed to identify the incidence and predictors of QTc prolongation in medical (M), surgical (S), and emergency (E) ICUs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted for 6 months. Patients more than 18 years old who admitted to MICU, SICU, and EICU were included in the study. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was taken on day 1, 3, and 5 of ICU admission. The QTc intervals >460 ms in male and >470 ms in female and increased >60 ms above baseline were considered QTc prolongation. Comparative analysis was done between two groups of patients (normal vs prolonged QTc). Logistic regression models were carried out to determine the predictors of QTc prolongation.

RESULTS

Incidence of QTc prolongation was 6.5, 9.8, and 15.7% on day 1, 3, and 5 of ICU admission, respectively. On day 1, the history of alcohol addiction and the reason of ICU admission were associated with a prolonged QTc. A significant association was demonstrated between administration of azithromycin and QTc prolongation on day 3. High serum creatinine and hospitalization in EICU were predictors of QTc prolongation on day 5 of ICU admission.

CONCLUSION

The QTc prolongation is relatively common among patients admitted to ICUs and its incidence increases with increasing length of hospital stay. Predictors of QTc prolongation may be affected by the duration of ICU admission. Physicians should consider these predictors particularly before prescribing QTc-prolonging drugs.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Farzanegan B, Hosseinpoor Z, Baniasadi S, Seyyedi SR, Rajabi M. An Observational Study of QTc Prolongation in Critically Ill Patients: Identification of Incidence and Predictors. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(4):270-275.