Early Recognition of Digoxin Toxicity Is Essential
- Early recognition of life-threatening digoxin toxicity may result in improved treatment outcomes.1,2
- Signs of life-threatening digoxin toxicity include life-threatening or haemodynamically unstable cardiac dysrhythmias, hypokalaemia, and evidence of end-organ dysfunction from hypoperfusion.2
- Cardiac effects are of the greatest concern in patients with digoxin toxicity.2
Don’t miss the signs of life-threatening digoxin toxicity
Signs of digoxin toxicity include:
Chronic
Cardiac Dysrhythmias3,4
- Severe ventricular dysrhythmias3,4 (e.g. ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation)
- Progressive bradydysrhythmias3,4 (e.g. severe sinus bradycardia, second or third-degree heart block unresponsive to atropine)
Laboratory Parameters2,5
- Severely elevated serum potassium levels with rapidly progressive signs and symptoms2,5 (e.g. > 5.5 mEq/L in adults or 6>mEq/L in neonates)
- Severely elevated serum digoxin levels with clinically significant signs and symptoms2,5 (e.g. steady state concentrations >6 ng/mL in adults or >4 ng/mL in children)6
Evidence of End-Organ Dysfunction2,5
- Signs and symptoms of end-organ dysfunction from hypoperfusion2 (e.g. renal failure, altered mental status, abnominal pain)
Acute
Cardiac Dysrhythmias2,3,6,7
- Sinus bradycardia, second or third degree AV block
- Any type of dysrhythmias possible
Laboratory Parameters2,5-7
- Severely elevated serum potassium levels with rapidly progressive signs and symptoms2,5-7 (e.g. >5.5 mEq/L in adults or 6> mEq/L in children)
Gastrointestinal symptom2,7
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Neurological symptoms2,7
- Weakness, confusion, lethargy