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Maintenance digoxin in elderly patients

J L Dall

    British Medical Journal
    |June 20, 1970
    PubMed

    Insights

    Digitalis glycosides like digoxin are common for heart failure but can be toxic. Reviewing elderly patients found that stopping digoxin was safe for most, suggesting it can be withdrawn in many cases.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Geriatric Medicine
    • Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Digitalis glycosides, particularly digoxin, are standard treatments for cardiac failure.
    • Increasing toxic effects of digoxin in patients are a growing concern.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of discontinuing digoxin in elderly patients on maintenance therapy.

    Main Methods:

    • A review of 80 elderly patients receiving maintenance digoxin was conducted.
    • Patients experiencing toxic effects were specifically analyzed.

    Main Results:

    • Digoxin was successfully withdrawn in nearly three-quarters of the elderly patients studied.
    • Discontinuation of digoxin did not result in detriment to the patients' condition.

    Conclusions:

    • Elderly patients on maintenance digoxin require regular review.
    • Withdrawal of digoxin should be attempted in elderly patients without a known primary cardiac lesion.

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