Is Lanoxin safe?

[Sue143]

Hi, I'm 38, BP normal, weight 103, blood work all ok, heart echo normal. I posted previously that I have had SVT for over 6 yrs and now I ended up with a-fib for the first time. My cardio. put me on Toprol xl 25mg. but I got an increase in palpitations. Now he has given me Lanoxin .125mg. and asprin 81mg. I had read that Lanoxin may not be ok for people with WPW. I don't know if I have that or not. Is Lanoxin safe to take for SVT? All the side effects for it scare me.
He also said it would be ok to have another baby. Would Lanoxin be safe during pregnancy or is there one that would be safe?
My Cardio. also doesn't believe in having an ablation unless my symptoms get so bad that I can't live with them any longer with meds. Is this common for most doctors to think this?

Thanks, Sue

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Sue,

Thanks for the post.

Lanoxin (digoxin) would not be my first choice for most 38 year old patients with h/o SVT and afib due to the fact that it can lead to accelerated ventricular rate if the SVT were to recur.

Lanoxin is Class C for pregnancy, indicating that it's use is not recommended for pregnant women.

Our practice at the CCF is to refer young patients with symptomatic WPW for consideration of ablation.  Atrial fibrillation in WPW patients is an indication to consider the ablation even without symptoms due to the unlikely possibility of sudden death in patients with WPW and afib.

A second opinion with an electrophysiologist might be in order.

Hope that helps.

[Sue143]

I forgot to mention that I am no longer in a-fib. They were able to stop it at the ER. Does that change anything?

Thanks, Sue

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Sue143,

No, the information still holds regardless of whether you are currently in afib or not.

Good luck.

[wingtip]

I realize the doctor won't answer this, but the topic made me wonder.  I have cronic a-fib, and I used to be on Dij, till my heart rate was deemed too slow while I slept (15bpm).  How would the doctor's know if I was a WPW syndrome person.  I had several bouts of extremely fast heartrate in my 20's (I am 40 now) and the doctor's said it was stress and let it go.  Now I still get a fast rate (in the 200's according to the holter) but I don't have any symptoms.  So how would you know if you were a WPW candidate,  and would I then be at more of a risk for sudden cardiac death than just being someone with cronic a-fib who is only at a slightly higher stroke risk?