Updates in Digoxin Toxicity and Outcome of Management: A Review

Abstract

Cardiac glycosides, including digitalis and digoxin, have long-standing use in clinical practice. Digoxin has a half-life that varies from 36 to 48 hours, which may increase in cases of renal failure. Approximately 1% of Congestive Heart Failure patients treated with digoxin develop toxicity. The clinical features of toxicity are often non-specific. Diagnosis is difficult and usually made clinically, as levels of digoxin in the blood do not necessarily correlate with toxicity. Treatment involves early recognition and the administration of antibodies specifically against digoxin also known as Fab fragments. Digoxin concentration does not necessarily correlate with clinical symptoms of toxicity however digoxin concentrations may be used for calculating the amount of antidote therapy. Digoxin-specific antibody fragments are used when there is a risk of a life-threatening arrhythmia.

Potential Effects of Digoxin on Renal Functions in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure

“…Concerning BUN, there were statistically significant differences in pre- and post-digoxin intake, which is consistent with the findings of Ibrahim et al The study found no statistically significant differences in serum albumin levels before and after digoxin intake [ 10 ]. Shen et al had similar findings, with a significant relationship between digoxin intake and serum albumin [ 7 ].…”

Kronik Hastalıklarda Dijital İlaç Kullanımı ve Pediatri Hemşiresinin Sorumlulukları

“…Konjestif kalp hastalıklarında sıkça kullanılan digoksin terapötik aralığı dar olması sebebiyle intoksikasyonlara sebep olabilmektedir. Digoksin, kardiyak glikozitler olarak adlandırılan ilaç kategorisine ait bir ilaç maddesidir ve dijital glukozidler olarak da adlandırılmaktadır (3). Kardiyak glikozidler de bilinen en eski kardiyak ilaç grubudur (5).…”