title: An evaluation strategy for potential QTc prolongation with chronic azithromycin therapy in cystic fibrosis.
abstract: Chronic azithromycin therapy is recommended for CF patients with persistent Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization. Other macrolide antibiotics have been reported to cause QT prolongation, but cardiac effects of azithromycin have not been studied in pediatric populations. We analyzed changes in QTc interval after starting chronic azithromycin in a pediatric CF population. Adolescent males showed increased QTc intervals after initiation of therapy. Given the possible effects of azithromycin on the QTc interval, particularly in patients predisposed to cardiac events, we suggest that the QTc interval of CF patients should be monitored throughout the course of chronic azithromycin.
authors.affiliation: Medical Scientist Training Program, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: patrick_lenehan@hms.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Patrick John
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lenehan
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Department, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
authors.forename: Craig M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Schramm
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Department, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
authors.forename: Melanie Sue
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin
keywords: Azithromycin; Cystic fibrosis; Macrolide; QTc interval; QTc prolongation