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Increased exercise capacity after digoxin administration in patients with heart failure
M Sullivan1, J E Atwood, J Myers
1Cardiology Department, Long Beach Veterans Administration Medical Center, California 90822.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Digoxin improves exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure by enhancing oxygen uptake and physiological efficiency. This study clarifies the benefits of digoxin therapy for heart failure patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Controversy exists regarding digitalis effects on exercise capacity in chronic heart failure.
- Objective assessment is needed to clarify digoxin's role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively assess the effect of digoxin on exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure.
Main Methods:
- Maximal treadmill testing with respiratory gas exchange analysis was performed on 11 patients with chronic heart failure.
- Patients were tested both with and without digoxin therapy.
Main Results:
- Digoxin therapy significantly increased ventilatory oxygen uptake at submaximal exercise, anaerobic threshold, and maximal exercise.
- An improvement in the ratio of dead space to tidal volume (VD/VT), indicating enhanced physiological efficiency, was observed during digoxin therapy.
- A significant negative correlation was found between the change in maximal oxygen uptake and the change in maximal estimated VD/VT.
Conclusions:
- Digoxin therapy is associated with significant improvements in exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure.
- These improvements are likely due to enhanced ventilation-perfusion matching.