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Effect of maintenance digoxin therapy on aerobic performance and exercise left ventricular function in mild to

J L Fleg1, B Rothfeld, S H Gottlieb

  • 1Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|March 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Digoxin does not improve exercise capacity in patients with congestive heart failure. However, its effect on peak oxygen consumption was inversely related to baseline levels during placebo treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Digitalis glycosides have a long history of use in treating congestive heart failure (CHF).
  • Their efficacy in improving exercise capacity in CHF patients remains debated due to study limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of digoxin on exercise capacity in patients with chronic stable CHF.
  • To examine objective measures of exercise performance and hemodynamic responses.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, crossover study involving 10 ambulatory CHF patients.
  • Patients received either digoxin or placebo for 4 weeks, followed by maximal treadmill exercise and cycle ergometry with radionuclide angiography.

Main Results:

  • Digoxin did not significantly alter treadmill exercise duration or peak oxygen consumption compared to placebo.
  • A significant inverse relationship was observed between the change in peak oxygen consumption with digoxin and baseline levels during placebo.
  • Systolic blood pressure was higher during digoxin therapy, but heart rate, oxygen pulse, and ventilation were similar.

Conclusions:

  • Digoxin therapy does not enhance overall exercise capacity in patients with mild to moderate systolic CHF.
  • Individual patient responses to digoxin regarding peak oxygen consumption may vary based on baseline functional status.

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