Prophylactic digitalization for thoracotomy: a reassessment.
A prospective, controlled, randomized clinical study of 140 patients undergoing elective thoracic operations over a period of 1 year in a regional referral unit was performed in which one group received digoxin and the other did not. The incidence of cardiac arrhythmia was compared in each group. Overall mortality was 5.7%. There was no significant difference in incidence of cardiac arrhythmia in each group, and we conclude that the prophylactic use of digoxin in elective thoracic operations should be revised.
Ritchie
A J
AJ
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Bowe
P
P
Gibbons
J R
JR
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors
D004077:Digoxin; D011188:Potassium; D010100:Oxygen