Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Digoxin”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Determination of free digoxin concentrations in serum for monitoring Fab treatment of digoxin overdose.

A rapid method for assessing the free digoxin concentration in the serum of digoxin-overdosed patients receiving treatment with digoxin-specific Fab fragments has been developed. For this method, a protein-free ultrafiltrate is prepared from the patient's serum, and the digoxin in the ultrafiltrate (free digoxin) is measured by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Both the inaccuracies associated with measurements of total digoxin by immunoassay in the presence of Fab and the long turnaround time associated with measurements of free digoxin by equilibrium dialysis were avoided. Good correlation was observed between measurements of free digoxin by this ultrafiltration technique and by equilibrium dialysis. The ultrafiltration method was used to evaluate the concentrations of free digoxin in a digoxin-overdosed patient treated with Fab at our hospital. In retrospect, the results suggest that her hospital stay could have been shortened by a timely appreciation of her increased concentration of free digoxin. Using the ultrafiltration method, one can determine free digoxin concentrations quickly, conveniently, and accurately in the clinical laboratory. This procedure therefore should be a valuable aid in monitoring the efficacy and adequacy of Fab treatment.

Adolescent↗

The influence of digoxin antibodies on digoxin disposition and effect: studies in guinea-pigs and HeLa cells.

Pretreatment of guinea-pigs with digoxin-specific Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments reduced the cardiotoxicity of intravenously infused digoxin (the lethal doses in Fab-treated and control animals were 1.0 and 0.6 mgkg-1, respectively). At death the serum digoxin concentration was elevated 2 fold in the Fab-treated animals, while the tissue concentrations were generally lower. The 30-40% lower cardiac digoxin concentration (seen in whole homogenate and throughout the subcellular fractions examined) was surprising; presumably this reflects a difference from the controls in the proportion of pharmacologically active/inactive digoxin in this organ. Adding digoxin-specific immunoglobulin G or the Fab fragments to HeLa cells before incubation with digoxin, reduced specific digoxin binding (Na pump-bound) slightly more than the non-specific binding. Adding specific antibody after digoxin, however, did not reduce digoxin binding or effect a recovery in Na pump activity. It seems that the protective effect of digoxin-specific antibodies seen in the guinea-pig can to some extent be simulated using HeLa cells. However, this is apparently not so regarding the widely-reported ability of these antibodies to reverse the action of digoxin.

Animals↗

Characteristics of the digoxin-quinidine and digoxin-verapamil interactions in the rat kidney.

Recently quinidine and verapamil have been reported to cause toxic accumulation of digoxin due to mainly decrease in the renal secretion of the cardiac glycoside. Because these drugs do not alter GFR, it was assumed that the renal tubular secretion of digoxin is inhibited by them. We studied the characteristics of the renal cortical specific binding for digoxin in the rat kidney, and the antagonistic effects of quinidine and verapamil on digoxin uptake by the kidney slices. Specific binding of digoxin was documented in the renal slices with B max of 42.34 pmol/gr and Kd of 7.6 pmol/gr. The addition of quinidine in therapeutic concentrations (6.7 microM) caused a mean 23% reduction of digoxin uptake by the kidney slice (p less than 0.01). When quinidine concentrations were elevated above the therapeutic range there was additional reduction in digoxin uptake; 84 mM quinidine caused a mean 61% reduction (p less than 0.0001). A similar interaction was documented with verapamil; therapeutic concentrations (550 mM) of the drug caused 15% reduction in digoxin uptake. Further increase in verapamil concentration resulted in additional reduction in digoxin uptake; the maximal concentration used (42 microM) caused 60% decrease in uptake (p less than 0.0001). The inhibition of the renal uptake of digoxin caused by quinidine and verapamil in conjunction with the pharmacokinetic studies, which have shown that both drugs decrease the renal clearance of digoxin without changing GFR, support the suggestion that they inhibit the renal tubular secretion of digoxin.

Animals↗

The use of brain digoxin concentrations to confirm blood digoxin concentrations.

Recent research suggests that the cardiotoxic as well as the neurotoxic effects of digitalis may be mediated by the central nervous system. Therefore brain regions implicated in the genesis of cardiac rhythm disorders were assayed for digoxin. An 125I-labeled radioimmunoassay was used to determine blood and tissue digoxin concentrations. Digoxin was found in the optic tract and optic chiasm in each of four persons who had been taking digoxin regularly. Digoxin is apparently concentrated from blood by the choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle but not by the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricle. However, digoxin was present in the area postrema and nucleus of the vagus only in the two digoxin overdose cases. Digoxin was not detected in any of the other brain regions analyzed. The presence of digoxin in the area postrema (the chemoreceptor trigger zone) and the nucleus of the vagus in the toxic but not in the therapeutic cases suggests a mechanism for the emesis and cardiac arrest brought about by digoxin toxicity in humans. The digoxin content of the medulla, especially the surface of the medulla under the obex, may be useful in confirmation of elevated blood digoxin concentrations.

Aged↗

Elevated serum digoxin levels in a patient taking digoxin and Siberian ginseng.

A 74-year-old man taking a constant dose of digoxin for many years was found to have an elevated serum digoxin level with no signs of toxic effects. Common causes of elevated serum digoxin were ruled out, and the patient's digoxin level remained high after digoxin therapy was stopped. The patient then revealed that he was taking Siberian ginseng, a popular herbal remedy. The patient stopped taking ginseng, and the serum digoxin level soon returned to an acceptable level. The digoxin therapy was resumed. The patient resumed taking ginseng several months later, and the serum digoxin level again rose. Digoxin therapy was maintained at a constant daily dose, the ginseng was stopped once more, and the serum digoxin levels again returned to within the therapeutic range. It is unclear whether some component of the ginseng was converted to digoxin in vivo, interfered with digoxin elimination or caused a false serum assay result. The author cautions physicians to be alert to the potential for herbal remedies to interact with prescribed medications and to affect biochemical analyses.

Aged↗

Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of digoxin specific Fab fragments in a child following massive digoxin overdose.

The use of digoxin-specific Fab fragments (d-Fab) to treat life-threatening digitalis intoxication has been widely substantiated in adults. This reports a case of a 2-year-old girl who ingested 90-92, 0.25 mg tablets of digoxin and within four hours, developed vomiting, lethargy, tachycardia and AV block (Mobitz type I and II). These symptoms were associated with total and free serum digoxin concentrations of 17.1 and 12.4 ng/ml, respectively. Following GI decontamination, a total dFab dose of 1280 mg (32 vials) was given with resolution of electrocardiographic abnormalities within 40 minutes and a concomitant reduction in the free serum digoxin concentration to 0.11 ng/ml. Repeated blood sampling over 19 days revealed an apparent elimination half-life (t1/2) of 134.9 and 129.9 hr for total and free digoxin, respectively. The long t1/2 for digoxin corresponded to a low apparent renal clearance of total digoxin which ranged from 0.56 to 0.82 ml/minute over four separate collection intervals. The free serum digoxin concentration never exceeded 3% of the total concentration and the patient did not develop a recurrence of toxic symptoms or any adverse effects (e.g. fever) attributable to dFab. Administration of an equimolar dFab dose to children following acute, massive digoxin intoxication represents safe, effective treatment which produces a prompt, sustained reversal of toxic effects. Digoxin specific Fab fragments should be promptly administered to any infant or child with significant, life-threatening symptoms following acute digoxin intoxication.

Child, Preschool↗

Skeletal muscle digoxin concentration during digitalization and during withdrawal of digoxin treatment.

Blood samples and skeletal muscle biopsies (m. quadriceps femoris, vastus lateralis) were taken from 15 patients during digitalization or during withdrawal of digoxin treatment for analysis of serum and skeletal muscle digoxin concentrations. A percutaneous needle biopsy technique was used for muscle sampling and digoxin was analysed by radioimmunoassay. During "slow" digitalization with 0.25 mg digoxin daily the skeletal muscle digoxin concentrations after 2 and 4 days were 45% (range 19%--62%; n = 3) and 78% (range 56%--92%; n= 3) respectively, of the steady state concentration (defined as the digoxin concentration after 25--40 days of treatment). After 9 and 11 days of treatment the skeletal muscle digoxin concentrations were 106% (range 84%--133%; n = 5) and 116% (range 72%--164%; n = 3) respectively, of the steady state concentration. A doubling of the digoxin dose gave a proportional increase in skeletal muscle digoxin concentration (three patients). The magnitude of the estimated half-life of skeletal muscle digoxin was the same as previously reportedly in healthy subjects. No significant correlations were found between changes in systolic time intervals and steady state serum or skeletal muscle digoxin concentrations.

Adult↗

In vivo digoxin-like immunoreactivity in mice and interference of Chinese medicine Danshen in serum digoxin measurement: elimination of interference by using a chemiluminescent assay.

BACKGROUND: Danshen, a traditional Chinese medicine used in the management of cardiovascular diseases, is available without prescription in the US. Because Danshen is used to treat cardiovascular diseases, we studied the potential interference of Danshen with serum digoxin measurement using various immunoassays. METHODS: Blood was collected 1 day before and then 1 and 2 h after feeding mice with Danshen. The apparent digitoxin activities were measured by the fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). We also added microliter amounts of Danshen extract to digoxin pools prepared from patients receiving digoxin. The digoxin concentrations were measured using the fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA), microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) and chemiluminescent assay (CLIA). The observed values were compared with original values. We also fed mice with Danshen. RESULTS: We observed measurable digoxin-like immunoreactivity in sera of mice after feeding with Danshen. We also observed falsely lower digoxin concentrations (negative interference) when MEIA was used for digoxin measurement. However, serum digoxin concentrations were falsely elevated with FPIA. We observed no interference of Danshen in serum digoxin measurement using the CLIA. CONCLUSION: Danshen appears to contain digoxin-like immunoreactivity but does not interfere with serum digoxin measurement when CLIA was used.

Animals↗

The influence of digoxin particle size on absorption of digoxin and the effect of propantheline and metoclopramide.

1 The influence of particle size on absorption of digoxin was studied in ten healthy volunteers who received 0.5 mg digoxin as two standard Lanoxin tablets, or tablets containing micronized digoxin or large particle size digoxin. Tablets were given 30 min after 15 mg propantheline, 10 mg metoclopramine or a placebo tablet, and following an overnight fast. 2 The overall mean cumulative 4 day urinary excretion of digoxin was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) after large particle size digoxin than after standard or micronized digoxin. Mean cumulative urinary excretion following large particle size digoxin was reduced when administered after metoclopramide and increased after propantheline, the difference between these two treatments being significant (P less than 0.05). There was a significantly lower (P less than 0.05) overall mean cumulative excretion following standard by comparison with micronized digoxin. However, by comparison with placebo, neither metoclopramide nor propantheline significantly altered mean cumulative excretion after standard or micronized digoxin. Propantheline and metoclopramide affect absorption of digoxin from formulations of large particle size and slow dissolution rate only.

Adult↗

Anti-digoxin antibody in digoxin intoxication.

This study was conducted to investigate the action of anti-digoxin antibody in digoxin intoxication. Anti-digoxin antibody was raised in sheep and administered to six dogs following intravenous infusion of digoxin (0.04 or 0.16 mg/kg body weight), either as whole serum or as partially purified gamma globulin. Plasma and urine digoxin levels, both bound and free, were determined on serial samples. Myocardial samples were analysed for digoxin content. Comparisons were made with six dogs given digoxin but no antibody. The results indicate that anti-digoxin antibody is effective through inactivation of digoxin in myocardium and removal of digoxin from myocardium into plasma. Loss of digoxin in urine is not responsible for toxicity reversal.

Animals↗

Digoxin toxicity compared with myocardial digoxin and potassium concentration.

1 Twenty-nine dogs were given digoxin (0.25 mg) by mouth twice daily for eight days. Some of them (group 1) also received diuretics and others (group 2) a mineralocorticoid. The dogs were then given an intravenous bolus injection of digoxin and plasma and cardiac muscle were analysed for digoxin and potassium. 2 In the digitalized dogs, myocardial potassium concentration decreased following the intravenous injection of either 0.05 or 0.15 mg/kg digoxin; in contrast, in those dogs given diuretics or mineralocorticoid the potassium concentration increased. 3 Ventricular arrhythmias occurred after digoxin injection (0.05 mg/kg) in the hypokalemic dogs, in those given a mineralocortocoid and in those dogs which received a toxic digoxin dose (0.15 mg/kg). No arrhythmias where seen in the control (digitalized) group. 4 Myocardial digoxin concentrations were similar in the control digitalized group and in the mineralocorticoid-treated dogs after the intravenous administration of the lower digoxin dose (0.05 mg/kg). The myocardial digoxin concentration was significantly higher in the hypokalemic group and in the group receiving the higher digoxin dose (0.15 mg/kg). 5 There was no obvious relationship between the occurrence of arrhythmias and the myocardial concentration of digoxin or potassium.

Animals↗

The effect of digoxin dosage on the digoxin-quinidine interaction in the bile duct-cannulated rat.

Pretreating anaesthetized bile duct-cannulated rats with 9 mg kg-1 quinidine significantly decreased the cumulative biliary excretion of digoxin and its metabolites after 10 or 100 micrograms kg-1 [3H]digoxin, although the effect was more marked in animals receiving the high dose of digoxin. In contrast, however, although quinidine pretreatment raised plasma radioactivity levels by 50-80% in animals given the higher dose of digoxin, no significant effect on circulating plasma levels was observed in rats receiving 10 micrograms kg-1 digoxin. Generally, quinidine had no statistically significant effect on other aspects of digoxin disposition, although with both digoxin doses there were trends towards a reduction in the direct intestinal secretion and urinary excretion of digoxin-derived radioactivity with an increase in tissue levels of radioactivity (apart from the small intestine wall where concentrations were reduced). The radioactivity in the bile after 100 or 10 micrograms kg-1 digoxin comprised about 25 and 33% of digoxin and digoxigenin bis-digitoxoside, respectively, as well as appreciable amounts of the monodigitoxoside and a highly polar component. This metabolite profile was unaffected by quinidine. The influence of cardiac glycoside dosage shown by the present work indicates that the digoxin-quinidine interaction and possibly analogous interactions involving other cardiac glycosides, may not always be readily detectable from plasma concentration data.

Animals↗

The plasma kinetics of digoxin-specific Fab fragments and digoxin in the rabbit.

The plasma kinetics of total and free digoxin, and digoxin-specific antibody fragments (DSFab) in rabbits which had been given [3H]digoxin one hour before DSFab has been studied over a 5 day period. Injection of DSFab caused a 4- to 5-fold rise in total digoxin and reduced elimination half-life (t1/2 beta), apparent volume of distribution at steady-state (Vdss) and systemic clearance (CL) by 40, 90 and 75% respectively. Early in the experimental period, DSFab reduced free digoxin concentration (measured by ultrafiltration) from 4.1 ng mL-1 to a minimum of 1.3 ng mL-1 at 15 min. However, the concentration had rebound to 2.5 ng mL-1 by 60 min. Subsequently, free digoxin fell to 0.63 ng mL-1 and remained relatively constant over a 7 to 90 h period. The distribution half-life, t1/2 beta, Vdss and CL for DSFab (concentrations measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were 0.3 h, 3.2 h, 185 mL kg-1 and 57 mL kg-1 h-1, respectively. A considerable molar excess (about 5) of DSFab in the plasma was necessary to maintain minimum free digoxin concentrations. When the DSFab:digoxin molar ratio was less than 4 during the initial treatment period, free (toxicologically active) concentrations increased. With the elevation in total digoxin, however, an opposite situation appeared to apply. By 24 h the relatively short DSFab t1/2 beta meant that the plasma DSFab concentration was less than 0.05 micrograms mL-1 giving a DSFab:digoxin molar ratio of below 0.06, yet the antibody-induced rise in total digoxin concentration was still detectable at 100 h.

Animals↗

Positive and negative in vitro interference of Chinese medicine dan shen in serum digoxin measurement. Elimination of interference by monitoring free digoxin concentration.

Dan Shen, a traditional Chinese medicine used in the management of cardiovascular diseases, is now available without prescription in the United States from Chinese herbal stores. We demonstrated digoxin-like immunoreactivity of Dan Shen in vitro. Because Dan Shen is used to treat cardiovascular disease, we studied potential interference of Dan Shen with serum digoxin measurement. Addition of microliter quantities of Dan Shen extract to digoxin pools prepared from patients receiving digoxin resulted in falsely elevated serum digoxin concentrations (positive interference) as measured by the fluorescence polarization immunoassay for digoxin (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL). More interestingly, serum digoxin concentrations were falsely lowered (negative interference) when measured by the microparticle enzyme immunoassay, also marketed by Abbott Laboratories. Taking advantage of poor protein binding of digoxin (25%) and high protein binding of digoxin-like immunoreactive components of Dan Shen, we further demonstrated that the positive and negative interference of Dan Shen in serum digoxin measurement can be eliminated by monitoring the free digoxin concentration.

Cross Reactions↗

Digoxin-like immunoreactivity eliminated from serum by centrifugal ultrafiltration before fluorescence polarization immunoassay of digoxin.

Digoxin determined in the Abbott "TDx" by fluorescence polarization immunoassay by the manufacturer's recommended method involving precipitation of protein with 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) is subject to interference from endogenous compounds having digoxin-like immunoreactivity. Guided by the work of Graves et al. (Clin Chem 1986;32:1506-9), we eliminated interference caused by digoxin-like immunoreactivity by substituting ultrafiltration for precipitation with SSA to remove protein. Using the manufacturer's method, we quantified digoxin in serum from 53 patients in three clinically defined groups who were receiving no digoxin, finding apparent digoxin in excess of the 200 ng/L detection limit in 24% of the 17 pregnant women, 59% of the 17 renal-dialysis patients, and all of 19 neonatal cord-blood samples examined. No measurable digoxin immunoreactivity was observed by fluorescence polarization immunoassay for any of the 53 clinically defined patients after removal of protein by ultrafiltration. For 22 men for whom digoxin was prescribed, digoxin measurement after protein removal by SSA and by ultrafiltration correlated well (r = 0.98), with good proportionality (slope = 1.04). Analytical recovery of added digoxin from adulterated serum was 115% after SSA, but 100% after ultrafiltration. Thus, before this assay procedure, we recommend ultrafiltration, to remove digoxin-like interference.

Digoxin↗

Selection of peptidic mimics of digoxin from phage-displayed peptide libraries by anti-digoxin antibodies.

Since the initial report of the development of methodology to generate high-affinity digitalis-specific (digoxin) antibodies, these antibodies have proven extremely useful tools to monitor digoxin levels in digitalized patients and, as Fab fragments, to reverse toxic digoxin effects in life-threatening digoxin overdoses. These antibodies (both digoxin-specific and ouabain-specific) have been used extensively by investigators for the identification and characterization of putative endogenous digitalis-like factors. In this study, we used two well-characterized mouse anti-digoxin monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), designated 26-10 and 45-20, as binding templates with which to select short bacteriophage-displayed (pIII protein inserted) peptides that are capable of binding to these mAbs and mimicking the conformational structure of digoxin. Selective enrichment from two phage-displayed random peptide libraries enabled us to isolate and identify distinct 15 and 26 amino acid residue peptide inserts that bind with high avidity and idiotypic specificity to the selecting mAbs. Among these displayed inserts a subset was identified whose mAb binding is inhibited by digoxin and whose corresponding synthetic peptides inhibit phage binding. They, therefore, appear to bind at the mAbs digoxin-binding sites. These data provide the first clear evidence that short polypeptides can serve as surrogates for the low molecular mass hapten digoxin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Skeletal muscle digoxin concentration and its relation to serum digoxin concentration and cardiac effect in healthy man.

Blood samples and skeletal muscle biopsies (m. quadriceps femoris, vastus lateralis) were taken from seven healthy subjects for analysis of serum and skeletal muscle digoxin concentrations by radioimmunoassay using a percutaneous needle biopsy technique for muscle sampling. The subjects were investigated on two digoxin dose levels and on the third day after withdrawal of digoxin. It was found that the skeletal muscle/serum digoxin ratio was significantly higher than the corresponding ratio obtained in a previous study with muscle sampling (m. rectus abdominis) from patients during open heart surgery. The present study indicates a significant correlation between the digoxin concentrations in serum and skeletal muscle as well as between cardiac effect, measured by changes in QS2I, and skeletal muscle digoxin concentration. A doubling of the digoxin dose gave a proportional increase in skeletal muscle digoxin concentration. The magnitude of the estimated half-life of skeletal muscle digoxin was the same as previously reported for serum or plasma digoxin.

Adult↗

Digoxin and increased mortality among patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction: importance of digoxin dose. The SPRINT Study Group.

Digoxin therapy has been suggested to increase mortality risk in survivors of acute myocardial infarction. Since digoxin is a drug with a narrow therapeutic/toxic ratio, we raised the hypothesis that the association between digoxin and post myocardial infarction mortality may have a dose-dependent relationship. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this hypothesis. We retrospectively analyzed data from 1731 survivors of acute myocardial infarction. At the time of hospital discharge, 175 patients (10%) were taking digoxin. The exact dosage of digoxin was ascertained in 153 (87%) patients. Patients were divided into two groups based on the weekly dosage of digoxin at hospital discharge: The first group included 41 patients who were treated with a low dose (< or = 1.5 mg per week, usually 0.125 mg daily). The second group included 112 patients treated with a full dose (> 1.5 mg per week, usually 0.25 mg daily). Both groups were comparable with regard to mean age, gender, history of prior myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and prior angina. There were no significant differences in the incidence of in-hospital complications, such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and postinfarction angina. One year mortality was significantly higher among patients treated with a full dose [19 of 112 (17%)] than patients treated with a low dose of digoxin [1 of 41 (2%); p < 0.02] Multivariate analysis performed by the Cox proportional hazards model identified treatment with a full dose of digoxin as an independent determinant associated with increased death during the first year after myocardial infarction (hazard ratio 10.7; 95% confidence interval 1.4-80.5). Thus, mortality among myocardial infarction survivors treated with digoxin was related to a full-dose therapy. Patients treated with a low dose experienced a low mortality rate. Our findings raise concern that digoxin may exert a dose-dependent deleterious effect upon the survival of patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction.

Adult↗