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True / False

Is safe to use in patients with ventricular arrhythmias Correct

Has inotropic properties Correct

May be associated with visual disturbance Correct

Oral bioavailability is 10% Correct

Is used in the treatment of atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation Incorrect answer selected

Explanation

Digoxin is extracted from the foxglove plant. It is used in the treatment of atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation but should be avoided in patients with ventricular tachycardia as digoxin may precipitate ventricular fibrillation.

Digoxin has both direct and indirect actions. It inhibits Na+/K+- ATPase directly leading to a rise in intracellular sodium levels, in turn resulting in increased calcium availability with inotropic effects.

Digoxin indirectly promotes the release of acetylcholine slowing cardiac conduction.

It can be given by the oral route and has an oral bioavailability of 70-90%. Toxicity may be associated with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, headache, visual disturbance (xanthopsia) and ECG changes.

Reference:

Peck TE, Hill SA, Williams M. Pharmacology for Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Cambridge University Press; 2008.

Sasada M, Smith S. Drugs in Anaesthesia & Intensive Care. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 2010.

Answer Statistics

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Average score: 89.38%

Times answered: 241