Management of Hydroxychloroquine-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Diagnostic Confirmation

• The American Heart Association recommends that cessation of hydroxychloroquine combined with heart failure management has been associated with halting disease progression and even clinical improvement in patients with hydroxychloroquine-induced cardiomyopathy 1

Heart Failure Management

• The American College of Cardiology recommends implementing standard guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure, including ACE inhibitors or ARBs for afterload reduction, beta-blockers, diuretics for volume management, and aldosterone antagonists as appropriate, for patients with hydroxychloroquine-induced cardiomyopathy 3

Prevention in Other Patients

• The National Kidney Foundation suggests that risk factors for cardiotoxicity include high cumulative exposure, treatment duration, renal impairment, and concomitant use of other cardiotoxic agents, and that regular screening with 12-lead ECG and transthoracic echocardiography should be considered in all hydroxychloroquine-treated patients 2, 4