Safety and heart rate changes in Covid-19 patients treated with Remdesivir

OBJECTIVES: Limited data are available regarding the occurrence and the extent of cardiac rhythm disturbances in patients with COVID-19 treated with Remdesivir. METHODS: We present a case series of 52 patients who underwent daily electrocardiogram (ECG) examination after Remdesivir administration. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, a significant heart rate reduction was observed after initiation of Remdesivir; however, no case of severe bradycardia or arrhythmias leading to significant clinical complications or Remdesivir discontinuation occurred. Heart rate reduction was proportional to baseline heart rate values (r=0.75, p<0.001). By multivariate analysis, a less severe clinical presentation of Covid-19 (beta=0.47, p<0.01) was related to lower heart rate levels observed after Remdesivir administration. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a significant reduction in heart rate observed after Remdesivir administration, no severe cardiovascular toxicity was observed in Covid-19 patients, even in the case of cardiovascular comorbidities.