Digitalis toxicity. A case report

Digitalis has a clinically useful therapeutic ratio (LD50/ED50), but doses must be carefully adjusted for each patient to avoid manifestations of toxicity. This paper reviews the pharmacology and toxicology of digitalis and reports an occurrence in which life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias occurred as a result of digitalis toxicity in a patient undergoing full mouth gingival curettage. In addition, some recommendations for prevention and management of this problem are discussed.