Electrocardiographic changes in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis treated with systemic Glucantime

Background and aim: Antimonial compounds are regarded as the treatment of choice for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Systemic administration of these drugs have some side effects such as cardiotoxicity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in patients with CL treated with systemic Glucantime.Materials and methods: This study with simple sampling method was done on patients with CL who had indication for treatment with systemic Glucantime. Before and during the treatment (weekly) and 1 month after stopping the treatment ECGs were taken from patients. The patients with baseline abnormal ECG were not included in the study.Results: 131 patients were enrolled in this study. The most common change was prolonged QT interval that was seen in 19% of patients. ST depression occurred in 6.1% and minimal ST elevation occurred in 3%, inverted T was observed in 7.4% of patients. Single PAC and single PVC occurred in 0.7% and 2.29%, respectively. Also we observed bradycardia in 10.6% and left bundle branch block in 0.7% of the patients. All of these changes reversed 1 month after treatment except for left bundle branch block.Conclusion: Important ECG changes are minimal in CL patients with normal baseline ECG treated with Glucantime and its administration seems to be safe.