An Update on the Role of Digoxin in Older Adults with Chronic Heart Failure

Low Serum Digoxin Concentration and Reduction in Mortality in Heart Failure

A comprehensive post hoc analysis of the Digitalis Investigation Group trial that included men and women with systolic and diastolic HF demonstrated that at low serum digoxin concentrations (0.5-0.9 ng/mL), the use of digoxin was associated with reductions in mortality and hospitalization.^[25] Compared with individuals receiving placebo, those with serum digoxin concentrations 0.5-0.9 ng/mL had lower risks of death due to all causes (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 0.77, 95% CI 0.67-0.89) and hospitalization due to all causes (AHR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78-0.92). A repeat of these analyses using propensity score matching yielded similar results: the use of digoxin at low serum digoxin concentrations (0.5-0.9 ng/mL) was associated with reductions in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.81, 95% CI 0.68-0.98) and cardiovascular hospitalization (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70-0.95)^[26] Digoxin reduced hospitalizations due to worsening HF regardless of serum digoxin concentrations.

Geriatrics and Aging. 2008;11(1):37-41. © 2008  1453987 Ontario, Ltd.

Cite this: An Update on the Role of Digoxin in Older Adults with Chronic Heart Failure - Medscape - Jan 01, 2008.