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Digoxin-induced cardiac toxicity in the anaesthetized guinea-pigs and effect of heparin infusion
I Kanzik1, I Cakici, A T Demiryürek
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Heparin infusions significantly reduced digoxin-induced arrhythmias in a study. This intervention did not notably affect blood pressure or heart rate, suggesting a targeted anti-arrhythmic effect.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias.
- Digoxin toxicity can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias.
- Heparin is an anticoagulant with potential anti-arrhythmic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of heparin infusion on digoxin-induced arrhythmias.
- To determine if heparin alters cardiovascular parameters during digoxin treatment.
Main Methods:
- Administered varying doses of heparin infusion before and during digoxin injection in a controlled setting.
- Monitored electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure, heart rate, and arrhythmias.
- Quantified arrhythmia severity using arrhythmia scores.
Main Results:
- Heparin infusions at 3.4 IU and 6.8 IU kg-1.min-1 significantly reduced digoxin-induced arrhythmia scores.
- Lower heparin infusion rates (1.7 IU kg-1.min-1) did not show significant anti-arrhythmic effects.
- Heparin did not significantly alter digoxin's effects on arterial blood pressure and heart rate.
Conclusions:
- Heparin exhibits a dose-dependent anti-arrhythmic effect against digoxin-induced arrhythmias.
- Heparin may be a potential therapeutic agent for managing digoxin toxicity-related arrhythmias.
- Further research is warranted to explore heparin's precise mechanism in mitigating digoxin-induced cardiac events.
Abstract:
We have examined the effects of heparin infusion on the arrhythmias induced by digoxin. Digoxin treatment consisted of 0.6 mg kg-1 given i.v. 15 min after the beginning of heparin infusion. Heparin infusions (1.7 IU, 3.4 IU and 6.8 IU kg-1 min-1) were begun 15 min before digoxin injection and continued for another 30 min. ECG, blood pressure, heart rate and arrhythmias were recorded starting 15 min before and continuing for 60 min after the digoxin injection. Heparin at the infusion rates of 3.4 IU and 6.8 IU kg-1.min-1 reduced significantly the arrhythmia scores. On the other hand, heparin did not significantly alter the arterial blood pressure and heart rate values affected by digoxin.