Digoxin.
After 200 years of use, digitalis still appears to have a place in our armamentarium for heart failure and atrial fibrillation despite the proven survival benefits with ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. Digoxin therapy is inexpensive and well tolerated and may result in considerable savings. Digoxin is the only oral inotrope that does not increase mortality in heart failure patients, particularly if low doses are being used. Digoxin therapy should be used in patients with systolic heart failure who continue to have signs and symptoms despite therapeutic doses of ACE inhibitors or diuretics or in patients with atrial fibrillation with or without heart failure for rate control.
Eichhorn
Eric J
EJ
Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Department of Internal Medicine, Dallas Veterans Administration Hospital and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Gheorghiade
Mihai
M
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004077:Digoxin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004077:Digoxin