Bioanalysis of digoxin and its metabolites using direct serum injection combined with liquid chromatography and...

An automated dual-column liquid chromatographic assay for digoxin is described. Serum samples are directly injected onto a restricted-access solid-phase extraction support. After liquid chromatographic (LC) separation on a C18 analytical column, antigenic analytes are detected by means of post-column immunochemical detection (ICD) using fluorescein-labelled antibodies against digoxigenin. The detection limit of this assay is 160 pg/ml (preconcentration of 1.0 ml serum). With the present method digoxin and three of its cross-reactive metabolites were determined in serum taken from patients which were orally administered a 1-mg dose of digoxin. The results obtained with LC-ICD were compared with data provided by a batch immunoassay.