Protein Binding of Cardiac Glycosides in Disease States

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Abstract
Digitoxin is 97% bound to serum albumin and digoxin only to the extent of 24%. Hypo-albuminaemia significantly changes the protein binding of digoxin in Kwashiorkor serum and the binding of digitoxin in patients with chronic active hepatitis and the nephrotic syndrome. Sprue patients with normal albumin values have normal binding of digitoxin. Preliminary data in patients with thyrotoxicosis and myxoedema show digitoxin binding within the normal range. The effect of uraemia per se on digitoxin binding is controversial as both normal and slightly decreased values-have been reported. In uraemic patients on treatment with haemodialysis, heparin administration has been shown to be a powerful serum binding displacing agent for both digitoxin and digoxin, the mechanism probably being a heparin-induced release of free fatty acids. Patients with a significant decrease in serum protein binding of digitoxin or digoxin should be maintained on a total serum concentration lower than usually considered within the therapeutic range.