Mexiletine in the Treatment of LQT2, LQT3, and Acquired LQTS: A Meta-Analysis

Background: High mortality in patients with Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) can be reduced with proper treatment. Gene-specific therapy is crucial, as many treatments are not equally effective across different LQTS types. While mexiletine has been established in the treatment of LQT3, its use in other type...

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Main Authors: Dhiya Ihsan, Mohammad Iqbal, Charlotte Johanna Cool, Chaerul Achmad, Miftah Pramudyo, Hawani Sasmaya Prameswari, Mohammad Rizki Akbar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Indonesian Heart Association 2025-05-01
Series:Majalah Kardiologi Indonesia
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Online Access:https://ijconline.id/index.php/ijc/article/view/1835
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author Dhiya Ihsan
Mohammad Iqbal
Charlotte Johanna Cool
Chaerul Achmad
Miftah Pramudyo
Hawani Sasmaya Prameswari
Mohammad Rizki Akbar
author_facet Dhiya Ihsan
Mohammad Iqbal
Charlotte Johanna Cool
Chaerul Achmad
Miftah Pramudyo
Hawani Sasmaya Prameswari
Mohammad Rizki Akbar
author_sort Dhiya Ihsan
collection DOAJ
description Background: High mortality in patients with Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) can be reduced with proper treatment. Gene-specific therapy is crucial, as many treatments are not equally effective across different LQTS types. While mexiletine has been established in the treatment of LQT3, its use in other types of LQT need further evaluation. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted using systematic electronic searches of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. We assessed QTc reduction and cardiac events after Mexiletine treatment. Inclusion criteria: any study with no language restriction that diagnoses any type of LQTS, uses mexiletine treatment, and provides QTc comparison before and after treatment. Animal studies were excluded. The NIH Study Quality Assessment Tools and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to evaluate bias. Data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4 and MedCalc software Results: Nine studies (n=281) were included. Mexiletine reduced QTc by -64ms (mean difference [MD], -64.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] -76.13 to -52.30;  p<.001; I2 60%). Sensitivity and subanalyses showed consistent efficacy. In five studies (n=76), the number of patient with high-risk QTc (>500ms) significantly decreased (Risk Ratio [RR], 0.38; 95% CI 0.26-0.55; p<.001). Five studies (n=141) showed a significant reduction in cardiac events (RR, 0.25; 95% CI 0.14-0.44; p<.001). Two studies reported gastrointestinal (GI) problems and vertigo as side effects of mexiletine treatment. Conclusion: Mexiletine significantly reduces QTc and cardiac events in LQT2, LQT3, and aLQT patients. Mexiletine also significantly reduces the number of Long QT patients with high-risk QTc Funding: No external funding was received for this study Registration: CRD420250652574
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publishDate 2025-05-01
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series Majalah Kardiologi Indonesia
spelling doaj-art-9a5dbf46fcdf435e91a154d3b3f0921c2025-08-20T02:26:24ZengIndonesian Heart AssociationMajalah Kardiologi Indonesia0126-37732620-47622025-05-0146110.30701/ijc.1835Mexiletine in the Treatment of LQT2, LQT3, and Acquired LQTS: A Meta-AnalysisDhiya Ihsan0Mohammad Iqbal1Charlotte Johanna Cool2Chaerul Achmad3Miftah Pramudyo4Hawani Sasmaya Prameswari5Mohammad Rizki Akbar6Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran – Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, IndonesiaDepartment of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran – Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, IndonesiaDepartment of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran – Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, IndonesiaDepartment of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran – Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, IndonesiaDepartment of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran – Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, IndonesiaDepartment of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran – Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, IndonesiaDepartment of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran – Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Indonesia Background: High mortality in patients with Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) can be reduced with proper treatment. Gene-specific therapy is crucial, as many treatments are not equally effective across different LQTS types. While mexiletine has been established in the treatment of LQT3, its use in other types of LQT need further evaluation. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted using systematic electronic searches of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. We assessed QTc reduction and cardiac events after Mexiletine treatment. Inclusion criteria: any study with no language restriction that diagnoses any type of LQTS, uses mexiletine treatment, and provides QTc comparison before and after treatment. Animal studies were excluded. The NIH Study Quality Assessment Tools and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to evaluate bias. Data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4 and MedCalc software Results: Nine studies (n=281) were included. Mexiletine reduced QTc by -64ms (mean difference [MD], -64.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] -76.13 to -52.30;  p<.001; I2 60%). Sensitivity and subanalyses showed consistent efficacy. In five studies (n=76), the number of patient with high-risk QTc (>500ms) significantly decreased (Risk Ratio [RR], 0.38; 95% CI 0.26-0.55; p<.001). Five studies (n=141) showed a significant reduction in cardiac events (RR, 0.25; 95% CI 0.14-0.44; p<.001). Two studies reported gastrointestinal (GI) problems and vertigo as side effects of mexiletine treatment. Conclusion: Mexiletine significantly reduces QTc and cardiac events in LQT2, LQT3, and aLQT patients. Mexiletine also significantly reduces the number of Long QT patients with high-risk QTc Funding: No external funding was received for this study Registration: CRD420250652574 https://ijconline.id/index.php/ijc/article/view/1835ArrhythmiaElectrocardiographyLong QT syndromeMexiletineQTc
spellingShingle Dhiya Ihsan
Mohammad Iqbal
Charlotte Johanna Cool
Chaerul Achmad
Miftah Pramudyo
Hawani Sasmaya Prameswari
Mohammad Rizki Akbar
Mexiletine in the Treatment of LQT2, LQT3, and Acquired LQTS: A Meta-Analysis
Majalah Kardiologi Indonesia
Arrhythmia
Electrocardiography
Long QT syndrome
Mexiletine
QTc
title Mexiletine in the Treatment of LQT2, LQT3, and Acquired LQTS: A Meta-Analysis
title_full Mexiletine in the Treatment of LQT2, LQT3, and Acquired LQTS: A Meta-Analysis
title_fullStr Mexiletine in the Treatment of LQT2, LQT3, and Acquired LQTS: A Meta-Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Mexiletine in the Treatment of LQT2, LQT3, and Acquired LQTS: A Meta-Analysis
title_short Mexiletine in the Treatment of LQT2, LQT3, and Acquired LQTS: A Meta-Analysis
title_sort mexiletine in the treatment of lqt2 lqt3 and acquired lqts a meta analysis
topic Arrhythmia
Electrocardiography
Long QT syndrome
Mexiletine
QTc
url https://ijconline.id/index.php/ijc/article/view/1835
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