Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2025
Testing the Efficacy of Pharmacological Agents in a Pericardial Target Delivery Model in the Swine
Published on: July 7, 2016
Determination of digoxin serum level in patients with heart failure
Qiang Li1, Guanghang Wu2, Ping Lu3
1Interventional Department, Hanzhong 3201 Hospital, Hanzhong, Shannxi723000, China. sxlqxxg@126.com.
Insights
This study found that digoxin serum levels in heart failure patients increase with age and are linked to urea, creatinine, and potassium levels. Regular monitoring of digoxin levels is crucial to prevent toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Heart failure is a prevalent cardiovascular disease requiring drug treatments like digoxin.
- Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, with toxic and therapeutic serum levels being very close.
- Individual variations in digoxin metabolism necessitate careful patient monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate digoxin serum levels in patients diagnosed with heart failure.
- To identify factors influencing digoxin serum concentration and potential toxicity.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 32 heart failure patients using digoxin.
- Serum levels of digoxin and associated factors (age, gender, creatinine, urea, potassium, calcium, cardiac output, creatinine clearance) were measured.
- Statistical analysis was employed to determine correlations.
Main Results:
- Digoxin serum levels showed a significant positive correlation with patient age (p<0.01).
- Increased digoxin serum levels were associated with elevated urea, creatinine, and potassium levels (p<0.01).
Conclusions:
- Age and serum levels of urea, creatinine, and potassium are significant factors affecting digoxin levels in heart failure patients.
- Continuous monitoring of digoxin serum levels and consideration of creatinine clearance are essential for preventing digoxin toxicity.
Abstract:
Heart failure is one of the common cardiovascular diseases, and digoxin is required in the list of drug treatments. Considering the positive effect of this drug on heart failure, unfortunately, its therapeutic and toxic serum levels are different and very close to each other in different people. This study aimed to investigate the digoxin serum level in heart failure patients. For this purpose, we examined 32 patients with heart failure and digoxin users in this cross-sectional descriptive study. Some important factors involved in determining digoxin toxicity, such as age, gender, creatinine, creatinine clearance, cardiac output, urea, potassium, calcium, and digoxin levels, were measured. Statistical analysis showed that digoxin serum level increases with age (p<0.01). The increase in digoxin serum level was related to urea, creatinine, and potassium serum levels (p<0.01). In general, it seems that to prevent the increase of digoxin serum level and poisoning with it, it is necessary to continuously control the serum level of this drug in the form of serum measurement or according to its clearance.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents
01:30Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
01:30Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions
01:22Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics
01:11Renal Failure: Dose Adjustments
Reduced renal clearance and elimination rate are common outcomes of renal impairment. These alterations lead to a prolonged elimination half-life and an altered apparent volume of distribution for drugs. As a result, dosage adjustments are typically necessary to maintain optimal drug levels in the body.
However, dosage adjustments...