Why carry out this study?

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented global health crisis

This study sought to ascertain whether hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin therapy is safe and effective in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

What was learned from this study?

In this propensity-matched cohort study, there was no statistical difference in the incidence of in-hospital mortality, PEA arrest, or non-lethal arrhythmias between patients treated with hydroxychloroquine–azithromycin therapy versus matched controls

Higher degree of corrected QT (QTc) prolongation was observed in the patients treated with hydroxychloroquine–azithromycin, but the incidence of drug-related torsades de pointes was low

Although likely safe to administer with close QTc monitoring, the findings do not support use of hydroxychloroquine–azithromycin therapy for hospitalized patients with COVID-19