Digoxin

Should digoxin be recommended for a patient , 84 year old male  with Atrail Fibrallation, when the blood pressure is in the range of  92/55, heart beat 61/min?
My father recenlty fell, fractured his hip and I have been getting contradicting information about digoxin, since he has low blood pressure and digoxin may not be safe for him..
Thank you


This discussion is related to Dijoxin Level.

[kenkeith]

The link below your post goes to a doctor's explanation where he states digoxin is used to treat irregular heartbeats.  I was on digoxin for a few months following my congested heart failue event.  It is my understanding the medication is used to increase contractility of the pumping chambers.  My medication for stablizing heart rate is a beta blocker (coreg) and an ACE inhibitor.

My research:  "Digoxin is contraindicated in patients with ventricular fibrillation. Digoxin should generally be avoided in patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function, although it has been used for ventricular rate control in the subgroup of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. Cardiovascular side effects have been reported the most frequently. These have included premature ventricular depolarizations (50%), AV nodal arrhythmias (50%), AV conduction disturbances (36%), wide complex tachycardia (less than 1%), paroxysmal atrial tachycardia with AV block, complete heart block, PR prolongation, and ST segment changes".

Some doctors prescribe digoxin for irregular heartbeat, but monitor heart rate and kidney function closely. I hope the digoxin perspective helps you make the right decision.  Take care.




Cardiovascular side effects have been reported the most frequently. These have included premature ventricular depolarizations (50%), AV nodal arrhythmias (50%), AV conduction disturbances (36%), wide complex tachycardia (less than 1%), paroxysmal atrial tachycardia with AV block, complete heart block, PR prolongation, and ST segment changes.