Digitalis: a drug that refuses to die.
Use of digitalis declined in the 1970s, especially among younger physicians, but several recent studies have conclusively documented the hemodynamic and symptomatic benefits of digitalis in patients with class III and IV heart failure resulting from left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The S3 gallop is a useful marker for a subset with a highly favorable response. Symptomatic benefit cannot be shown in most patients with class I and II heart disease (e.g., most myocardial infarction patients). When patients are monitored carefully for evidence of toxicity with serum digitalis assays and for factors that may affect drug bioavailability or clearance, digitalis is well tolerated.
Lewis
R P
RP
Department of Medicine, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus.
D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D004071:Digitalis Glycosides; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D002118:Calcium