The use of digitalis for the treatment of congestive heart failure: a tale of its decline and resurrection.
The decline of the use of digitalis for the treatment of congestive heart failure was due to the introduction of oral diuretic therapy, the recognition of the frequency of digitalis induced arrhythmias and the uncontrolled observations that digitalis could frequently be withdrawn from patients with a history of heart failure without recurrence of heart failure. Subsequently, it has been well documented that digitalis has chronic beneficial hemodynamic effects in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. Moreover, digitalis has been shown to improve hemodynamics when added to other drugs including diuretics, ACE inhibitors and vasodilators. It is concluded that digitalis is a mild inotropic agent that is still a primary drug for the treatment of mild to moderate acute or chronic left ventricular failure.
Marcus
F I
FI
Cardiology Section, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson 85724.
D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
D004071:Digitalis Glycosides