Electrocardiographic changes in HIV-infected, drug experienced patients treated with atazanavir

摘要

After reading the case study of 75 HIV infected patients treated with atazanavir-based therapy reported by Gianotti et al. , we express concerns regarding the methodology used to measure ECG intervals in this report. In particular, we note that automated measurement by ECG recording machines was used. This is in contrast to the current industry standard for ECG interval measurements to be digitally measured with electronic calipers or confirmed by experienced reviewers. In our view, the absence of digital overreading resulted in inadequate quality control for the QRS interval measurements and a false-positive finding of QRS prolongations in patients treated with atazanavir .