Citation

Rykke EO, Bredesen JE, Stokland O, Jacobsen D. Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. 1998; 118(3): 408-410.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Norske Laegeforening)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9499730

Abstract

Toxicity by digitalis is a common problem in everyday clinical practice. In this paper three cases of severe poisoning with digitoxin with maximal S-digitoxin levels of 115, 150 and 239 nmol/l are described. All patients received specific digoxin Fab-fragment intravenously. Administration of antidotes resulted in a favourable outcome in all three patients. So far, the use of digoxin-specific antibodies has been limited to a few cases of severe intoxication where life-threatening arrhythmias and hyperkalaemia were present. We discuss whether a more liberal indication should be accepted.

Language: no

Keywords

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Antidotes; Digitoxin; Humans; Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Middle Aged; Suicide, Attempted