Is Maintenance Digoxin Necessary in Geriatric Patients?

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Abstract
Digoxin therapy was withdrawn over a 4-yr period in the geriatric wards of Skelleftea Hospital, [Sweden] if the indications for it were unclear, the medication was of doubtful value and there were no contraindications to withdrawal. Contraindications comprised symptoms of cardiac failure at rest or during light physical activity, X-ray signs of pulmonary congestion, a proven need for digoxin therapy following earlier withdrawal or atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate higher than 95 beats/min. A patient who within 2 mo. presented signs of cardiac failure or an arrhythmia requiring digoxin, was considered to be in need of digoxin. Digoxin was withdrawn from 141 patients, of whom 134 were examined after 2 mo. According to these criteria, 108 (81%) of these 134 patients did not require digoxin treatment.