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Concomitant Treatment with Proton Pump Inhibitors and Cephalosporins Does Not Enhance QT-Associated Proarrhythmia in Isolated Rabbit Hearts

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Abstract

Recent results from data mining analyses and reports of adverse drug events suggest a QT-prolonging drug–drug interaction resulting from the combination of distinct proton pump inhibitors and cephalosporins. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the effect of the suspected QT-prolonging combinations of lansoprazole + ceftriaxone and esomeprazole + cefazolin, respectively. 26 hearts of New Zealand White rabbits were retrogradely perfused and paced at different cycle lengths. After generating baseline data, the hearts were assigned to two groups: In group 1, hearts were treated with 5 µM lansoprazole. Thereafter, 200 µM ceftriaxone was infused additionally. Group 2 was perfused with 10 µM esomeprazole followed by 250 µM cefazolin. In group 1, lansoprazole did not significantly alter QT intervals and APD90. Additional treatment with ceftriaxone significantly shortened QT interval, APD90 and slightly reduced dispersion of repolarization compared to sole lansoprazole infusion. In group 2, esomeprazole led to a significant shortening of the QT interval without altering APD90 or dispersion. Additional treatment with the antibiotic cefazolin further shortened QT interval, APD90 and reduced the dispersion of repolarization. Incidence of ventricular arrhythmias was not significantly altered in both groups. This is the first experimental whole-heart study that investigated the impact of a concomitant treatment with proton pump inhibitors and cephalosporins. In contrast to previous reports, the combination of both agents did not cause QT prolongation but instead shortened QT interval and action potential duration. As a consequence, no triggered activity occurred in the presence of a stable dispersion of repolarization.

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Abbreviations

APD:

Action potential duration

APD90 :

Action potential duration at 90%-repolarization

CFN:

Cefazolin

CFX:

Ceftriaxone

CL:

Cycle length

DDI:

Drug–drug interaction

ECG:

Electrocardiogram

ERP:

Effective refractory period

ESO:

Esomeprazole

LNS:

Lansoprazole

MAP:

Monophasic action potential

PPI:

Proton pump inhibitors

PRR:

Post-repolarization refractoriness

SQTS:

Short QT syndrome

VT:

Ventricular tachycardia

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Hans-and-Gertie Fischer Foundation (to G.F.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology II (Electrophysiology), University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany

    Julian Wolfes, Christian Ellermann, Sophie Burde, Patrick Leitz, Nils Bögeholz, Kevin Willy, Lars Eckardt & Gerrit Frommeyer

  2. University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany

    Michael Fehr

  3. Klinik für Kardiologie II - Rhythmologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert-Schweitzer Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany

    Julian Wolfes

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  1. Julian Wolfes
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  2. Christian Ellermann
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  9. Gerrit Frommeyer
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Correspondence to Julian Wolfes.

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The authors report no relationships that could be construed as a conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval & Statement

All applicable international, national and institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution at which the studies were conducted.

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Wolfes, J., Ellermann, C., Burde, S. et al. Concomitant Treatment with Proton Pump Inhibitors and Cephalosporins Does Not Enhance QT-Associated Proarrhythmia in Isolated Rabbit Hearts. Cardiovasc Toxicol 20, 531–538 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-020-09577-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-020-09577-3

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