A randomized controlled trial of the short-term effect of rosuvastatin on the corrected QT interval

Rosuvastatin can block human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG) currents and prolong the corrected QT (QTc) interval, but this effect has not been confirmed in the population. This study compared the changes of QTc interval between populations receiving atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, explained the effect of rosuvastatin on QTc interval, and the correlation between rosuvastatin and QT prolongation. The QTc interval decreased by 0.83 ms from baseline in atorvastatin group and increased by 6.57 ms in rosuvastatin group. More patients in the rosuvastatin group had an increased QTc interval (62.7% vs. 46.6%, p< 0.001). Rosuvastatin increased the risk of newly emerged QT prolongation by 42% (95% CI 1.10-1.85, p = 0.008). But there was no correlation between rosuvastatin and severe QT prolongation (RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.74-2.06, p = 0.426). In conclusion, rosuvastatin exhibits a modest adverse effect on the QTc interval. Rosuvastatin monotherapy does not appear to increase the risk of arrhythmia. But this study did not assess the usage of rosuvastatin with other QT-prolonging drugs, the potential for an additive effect should be considered when combining rosuvastatin with other QT-prolonging drugs.Trial registration: ChiCTR2400092701 (21/11/2024).