Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the commonly accepted potential effects of Artemisinin-based combinaison therapy (ACT) on repolarization and QT. METHOD: We realized a retrospective study, evaluating epidemiologic, clinical, biological and electrocardiographic data for patients treated for falciparum malaria, between August 31(st) and November 3(rd), 2017 in the Pôle de santé unique on the Camp Kosseï of N'Djamena. RESULTS: One hundred and four patients were included (28,6 years old [0 - 75 years], 72% male). All had fever (38,4 °C [36,6 - 41,5 °C]), asthenia, and main symptoms were headache and arthromyalgia (58%). No significant difference was noted after treatment concerning biological data (especially kaliemia: 3.81 versus 3.91 mmol/l, p = 0.154). There was no significant increase of QTc (415.8 versus 421.4 ms, p = 0.89) with the two ACT treatment used and no adverse events. DISCUSSION: Population is essentially composed of Chadian men, often partly immunized, that can modify clinical presentation. French soldiers' medical follow up in military operations decreases contra-indications of ACT. CONCLUSIONS: These results are in favor of a good cardiac tolerance of ACT with piperaquine and it should be proposed not to realize systematic ECG for the French soldiers in external operation when treated with ACT.