Remdesivir-Related Cardiac Adverse Effects in COVID-19 Patients: A Case-Control Study

Drug Res (Stuttg). 2024 Jul;74(6):290-295. doi: 10.1055/a-2332-3253. Epub 2024 Jul 5.

Abstract

Background: There have been reports of serious side effects of Remdesivir, including cardiovascular complications. The present study aimed to determine the adverse cardiovascular effects of Remdesivir and the factors affecting them in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: The patients were classified into two groups: those receiving Remdesivir without cardiac complications and those receiving Remdesivir with cardiovascular complications. After reviewing the patient's medical records, the relationship of some factors with the incidence of adverse cardiovascular effects was measured.

Results: Chi-square test showed that the distribution of complications in men was significantly higher than in women (P=0.001). The independent t-test revealed that the mean age in the group with complications was significantly higher than the group without complications (P=0.013). Fisher's exact test demonstrated a significant relationship between smoking and cardiovascular complications (P=0.05). According to the Mann-Whitney test, a significant difference was found in the mean changes of Bilirubin (P=0.02) and ALKP (P=0.01) before and after treatment in the groups with and without heart complications.

Conclusion: Our findings indicated that most of the COVID-19 patients suffered from sinus bradycardia, and the distribution of complications was more pronounced in men than in women. The mean age in the group with complications was higher than the group without complications. Smoking was found to be associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular complications and the mean changes of Bilirubin and ALKP before and after treatment were significantly different in the groups with and without cardiovascular complications.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Monophosphate* / adverse effects
  • Adenosine Monophosphate* / analogs & derivatives
  • Adenosine Monophosphate* / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alanine* / adverse effects
  • Alanine* / analogs & derivatives
  • Alanine* / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents* / adverse effects
  • Antiviral Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Bradycardia / chemically induced
  • Bradycardia / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / chemically induced
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • remdesivir
  • Alanine
  • Adenosine Monophosphate
  • Antiviral Agents