Key result
Stopping digoxin in 11 patients on long-term treatment led to a significant reduction in inotropic state, providing evidence that chronic digoxin exerts a positive inotropic effect.
Why the study?
Does stopping digoxin reduce the inotropic state in patients in sinus rhythm on long-term treatment?
Observational (n=11)
Does stopping digoxin reduce the inotropic state in patients in sinus rhythm on long-term treatment?
The study demonstrates that chronic digoxin treatment maintains a positive inotropic effect in patients in sinus rhythm.
Should not yet alter digoxin use in sinus rhythm; hypothesis-generating for sustained inotropic effects.
M-mode echocardiograms and systolic time intervals were recorded before and six weeks after stopping digoxin in 11 patients in sinus rhythm to see whether the inotropic effect of digoxin was maintained with long-term treatment. Significant changes indicating a reduction in inotropic state on stopping digoxin were observed in the group. Clinical deterioration occurred in only one patient, associated with evidence of initially impaired cardiac function rather than an atypical response to digoxin. This study provides evidence that chronic digoxin treatment does continue to exert a positive inotropic effect.
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Griffiths et al. (1982) conducted an observational in Sinus rhythm on long-term digoxin treatment (n=11). Digoxin withdrawal vs. Baseline (on digoxin) was evaluated on Inotropic state (measured by M-mode echocardiograms and systolic time intervals). Stopping digoxin in 11 patients on long-term treatment led to a significant reduction in inotropic state, providing evidence that chronic digoxin exerts a positive inotropic effect.
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