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

Effects of Digoxin in Older Adults with Chronic HF

A subgroup analysis of the Digitalis Investigation Group trial participants 65 years and older demonstrated that use of digoxin at low serum digoxin concentrations (0.5-0.9 ng/mL) was associated with reductions in all-cause mortality (AHR 0.81, 95% CI 0.680-0.96) (Figure 1) and all-cause hospitalization (AHR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.98)^[27]

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Kaplan-Meier Plots for All-Cause Mortality and HF Hospitalization in HF Patiends 65 Years

Findings from that study also suggest that the dose of digoxin was the strongest predictor of serum digoxin concentration among older adults, while use of diuretics was the strongest predictor of serum digoxin concentration among persons <65 years. Patient characteristics independently associated with low serum digoxin concentrations are presented in Figure 2.

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Patient Characteristics Independently Associated with Low SDC (0.5–0.9 ng/mL) in Chronic Heart Failure Patients 65 Years

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.