Arrhythmias

Posted by Tom Alexander on May 05, 1999 at 14:47:26
I'm 48 white male. Diag with cardiomyopathy about 1.5 years ago. Ejection fraction was 21. I was in atrial fib for a few months at first. Lately MUGA showed EF of 47, normal sinus rhythem, BP usually in the range of 110/70 and heart rate of around 50-60. Meds have been cozaar, lanoxin, with albuterol added a few months ago to control some arrhyhmias that were creeping back.
Things were going so well (with Drs approval) we thought we'd eliminate the lanoxin a couple weeks ago. The past few days I've been in and out of A-fib a few times. Before if I wasn't careful on sodium intake I could trigger some A-fib for an evening. Recent episodes are idiopathic. I'm still waiting to hear from my Dr. but curious if you think that lanoxin may have some benefit in controlling A-fib. My base line pulse is also up over the past few days to about 90.
Thanks,
Tom

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD-APS on May 07, 1999 at 10:53:12
Dear Tom,
The digoxin does not treat the arrhythmia so much as it helps to keep the rate under control if you do go in to atrial fibrillation (i.e. the a.fib rate is in the 300 bpm range and the digoxin helps keep the ventricular response to that at 100 or below.)  Now that you are having episodes again, it is probably not a good time to get rid of the digoxin, however please discuss these issues with your physician before making any changes.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general
purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to
write back with additional questions. Good luck.