Hemodynamic Effects of Digoxin in Latent Cardiac Failure

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Abstract
Acute hemodynamic effects of digoxin have been investigated in patients with heart failure due to left ventricular overload, who under treatment progressed from overt to latent cardiac failure. Fifteen patients in latent failure, not previously treated with digitalis, have been administered intravenously 1.25 mg of digoxin with hemodynamic measurements performed before and after the drug administration. Ten patients showed significant hemodynamic improvement and 5, no change, in response to digoxin. This response was compared with 117 measurements performed in patients in overt cardiac failure to whom digoxin was administered. The frequency of a significant increase in cardiac output after the drug was comparable in overt and in latent cardiac failure. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.