DIGOXIN TOXICITY IN THERAPEUTIC SERUM LEVELS

Abstract

Aim:The purpose of this study, to evaluate digoxin toxicity and risk factors leading to digoxin toxicity in patients with therapeutic digoxin levels.Material and Methods: We studied ninety–five patients with digoxin level was above of the 1.4 ng/mL and below of the 2.0 ng/mL at admission. They were divided into two groups, drug toxicity or nontoxicity, on the basis of both clinical symptoms and electrocardiography recording. The clinical and laboratory data were compared between these groups.Results: When overall patients’ digoxin usage indications were evaluated, it was revealed that 56 patients (58.9%) had been received digoxin only for heart failure, 32 patients (33.6%) only for atrial fibrillation and 20 patients (21%) received digoxin for both conditions. The exact reason for digoxin usage could not be determined in 17 patients (17.9%). When patients were evaluated, no differences in age, gender, medical history other than coronary artery disease and laboratory findings were observed between toxic and nontoxic patients. The medical history of coronary artery disease in toxic patients was significantly higher than in nontoxic patients (p: 0.008). In these variable, no differences were observed except atrial fibrillation (p<0.001), between toxic and nontoxic patients.Conclusion: In this study, the exact reasons for digoxin use could not be determined in 17 (17.9%) patients. In appropriate usage of digoxin could be increased risk of adverse outcomes and education program may reduce in appropriate use. Clinicians should be aware that signs of toxicity may occur at levels below of the 2.0 ng/mL, and such toxicity is more likely in the presence of atrial fibrillation or coronary artery disease.Keywords: Digoxin, toxicity, intoxication, serum digoxin level