Cardiac manifestations of digoxin intoxication. (Clinical correlations with serum levels)

Clinical, electrocardiographic and laboratory data were found out in 52 patients with cardiac arrhythmias and conduction defects due to digoxin intoxication. Forty six nontoxic patients were also studied for comparison. Blood urea concentration was significantly higher in toxic patients as compared to nontoxic ones (P less than 0-01). Ventricular bigeminy and trigeminy (38.6%), multifocal ventricular premature beats (25%) and second or third degree A-V blocks (25%) were very much prevalent. Fairly good correlations have been observed between different cardiac arrhythmias and serum digoxin levels. Significantly higher mean serum digoxin levels were observed in patients with A-V block and multifocal ventricular premature beats as compared to patients with supraventricular arrhythmias.