Remdesivir-Associated Significant Bradycardia: A Report of Three Cases

Maria Shirvani; Babak Sayad; Lida Shojaei; Azadeh Amini; Foroud Shahbazi

doi:10.18502/jthc.v16i2.7390

Maria Shirvani Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Babak Sayad Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Lida Shojaei Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Azadeh Amini Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Foroud Shahbazi Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jthc.v16i2.7390

Keywords: Arrhythmias; cardiac; Bradycardia; COVID-19; Remdesivir

Abstract

Recently, remdesivir was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We herein describe 3 patients with COVID-19 who showed significant bradycardia and QTc prolongation after remdesivir administration. Bradycardia did not respond to atropine treatment in 2 of the patients, one of whom received theophylline and the other required a temporary pacemaker. Fortunately, the patients’ heart rate and rhythm returned to normal after the discontinuation of remdesivir, albeit it lengthened their hospital stays. Careful monitoring during remdesivir infusion may decrease the risk of adverse cardiovascular side effects.