Digoxin for Symptomatic Rheumatic Heart Disease

“As we've seen with many other situations with digoxin, such as in those with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, it may improve symptoms and hospitalizations, but it doesn't improve mortality. Really, the only definitive treatment for rheumatic mitral valve steno”

“Digoxin is used in about 30%-40% of rheumatic heart disease cases currently, but it's based on the physician's gut feeling and there's always a concern that it will worsen things. With the publication of this trial, I think people will be a little more confident about using digoxin. We have few other drugs to benefit these patients—and this is the first drug which has evidence of benefit from a randomized trial—so I think its use will increase.”

“Rheumatic heart disease is a disease of poverty. It's seen mainly in low- and middle-income countries, and in pockets of disadvantaged individuals in high-income countries, such as the northern territory of Australia and the Māori of New Zealand. There are over 55 million living with rheumatic heart disease in the world and it contributes to 360,000 deaths every year. The people who die are relatively young.”