Abstract
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used in the management of symptomatic heart failure and supraventricular arrhythmias. It causes inhibition of the cardiac sodium-potassium pump, which leads to an increase in intracellular sodium, with an end result of increased intracellular calcium stores. The release of increased intracellular calcium during systole is responsible for the positive inotropic effect from digoxin. 1. Dec GW Digoxin remains useful in the management of chronic heart failure. Med Clin North Am. 2003; 87: 317-337 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (52) Google Scholar At supra-therapeutic digoxin levels, or in an overdose, over-inhibition of the cardiac sodium-potassium pump causes bradycardia with heart block, which can progress to ventricular dysrhythmias and asystole. David A. Kemmerer, Maine ENA—Southern/Portland, is Certified Specialist in Poison Information, Northern New England Poison Center, Portland, Me.
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