Digoxin

Definition

Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used to treat certain heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure. It works by increasing the force of myocardial contractions and modulating the autonomic nervous system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning small changes in dose can lead to toxicity or subtherapeutic effects.
2. Common signs of digoxin toxicity include nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances (such as seeing halos), and arrhythmias.
3. It primarily acts by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump, leading to increased intracellular calcium levels in cardiac cells.
4. Patients on digoxin should have their serum potassium levels monitored regularly because hypokalemia increases the risk of toxicity.
5. Digoxin is often used in conjunction with other medications like diuretics and ACE inhibitors for managing heart failure.

Review Questions

• What are the primary indications for using digoxin?
• How does digoxin exert its therapeutic effects on the heart?
• What are some common signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity?

Related terms

Atrial Fibrillation:

An irregular, often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow.

Heart Failure:

A chronic condition where the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should.

Cardiac Glycosides: A class of organic compounds that increase the output force of the heart and decrease its rate of contractions by acting on the cellular sodium-potassium ATPase pump.