Monitoring the Cardiotoxic Effects of Bedaquiline in Older Children and Adolescents with Multiple and Extensive Drug Resistance

The objective: to evaluate expanded monitoring of cardiovascular disorders in older children and adolescents with multiple drug resistant tuberculosis receiving bedaquiline (Bq) as a part of anti-tuberculosis therapy.Subjects and Methods: A cohort retrospective-prospective study (2015-2021) was conducted, which included 36 patients aged 13-17 years old who received Bq. The prospective part included 19 patients (Main Group), they underwent extended monitoring (EM) of cardiotoxic reactions; this extended monitoring program was developed in Central Tuberculosis Research Institute. The retrospective part included 17 patients (Control Group), in whom cardiotoxic reactions were assessed using standard monitoring recommended by the Russian Society of Phthisiologists at that time. The relationship between the studied risk factor (monitoring by standard ECG) and the outcome (Bq discontinuation) was assessed using the Pearson χ2 test.Results. Prolongation of the QTc interval > 0.440 ms was noted in 17.6% of cases in Control Group and it was regarded as a cardiotoxic effect of Bq, the drug was discontinued. In Main Group, prolongation was noted in 47.3% of cases which was considered a functional disorder of the cardiovascular system according to EM, the drug was not discontinued, χ2 = 3.896; p = 0.049. EM can be used in older children and adolescents with multiple drug resistant respiratory tuberculosis, which will make it possible to safely include Bq to chemotherapy regimens.