Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Santhiram Medical College & General Hospital, NH-18, Nandyal, Kurnool (Dist), Andhra Pradesh, India
*Address of Correspondence: Dr. S Vijay Babu Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Santhiram Medical College & General Hospital, NH-18, Nandyal, Kurnool (Dist), Andhra Pradesh, India
Online published on 15 February, 2017.
Several anti-malarial drugs are associated with adverse cardiovascular effects. There are a few reports available on the potential cardiac effects (QTc interval) of artesunate, which includes an increased risk of potentially ventricular arrhythmia. This study aimed to evaluate the electrocardiographic (ECG) Changes (QTc interval) in malaria patients treated with artesunate.
Total 35 (19 male & 16 female) patients with severe Falciparum malaria enrolled in medical ward at Santhiram Medical College & General Hospital, Nandyal, were selected. Electrocardiogram was recorded, and QTc interval was calculated before and after administration of three doses of artesunate (2.4 mg/kg body weight on admission, followed by 2.4 mg/kg at 12 and 24 hours)given by intravenous injection in all patients who were positive for Falciparum malaria.
The mean QTc interval was not affected by three doses of intravenous artesunate given at different time intervals(p>0.05). There was no significant effect observed on the JTc or PR interval, QRS width, blood pressure and heart rate. Intravenous artesunate does not have significant on other cardiovascular effects in patients with severe Falciparum malaria.
Intravenous artesunate does not have significant cardiovascular effects in patients with falciparum malaria.
QT Interval, Plasmodium Falciparum, Artesunate
