Troubles du rythme et allongement de l’espace QT sous halofantrine

Abstract

Objective. – To determine the importance of prolonged QT interval and electrocardiographic changes in children treated with halofantrin for an acute malaria attack. Results. – Out of 25 children treated with halofantrin, nine had an increase of QTc interval < 440 ms and ten a QTc > 440 ms on control 24 h after the first dose. A 9-year-old girl, treated with halofantrin, had bradycardia and increase of QTc interval for six days, with a normal halofantrin blood level. Conclusion. – These data show that cardiac monitoring during halofantrin treatment is mandatory in children as in adults. Contraindications of halofantrin treatment must be respected, particularly a long congenital QT interval