THE EFFECT OF DIGOXIN ON THE RIGHT VENTRICULAR PRESSURE IN HYPERTENSIVE AND ISCHAeMIC HEART FAILURE

Abstract
15 cases of left ventricular failure due to hypertensive or ischemic heart disease were studied. 10 cases showed a reduction in right ventricular pressures after digoxin, which was not always accompanied by a measurable increase in cardiac output. These changes were attributed to differential "stimulation" of the failing left ventricle, a fall in pulmonary vascular pressure, and consequent unloading of the right ventricle with resulting fall in venous filling pressure. Digoxin produced a hypertensive response in 8 cases, 3 of which developed a rise in right ventricular pressure and other signs of acute left ventricular failure. 2 patients had an intermediate type of response with a rise in cardiac output without a fall in right ventricular pressure.