How to digitalize and to maintain optimal digoxin levels in congestive heart failure

Abstract

Due to the narrow therapeutic-to-toxic ratio of digoxin, numerous studies have been done to assess the optimal digoxin level in patients with congestive heart failure. A digoxin level of 0.7-1.5 ng/mL (or 0.9-2.0 nMol/L) is generally considered optimal, but even at these levels toxicity may occur in certain clinical situations such as severe pulmonary disease or when electrolyte or metabolic disturbances are present. The optimal daily maintenance dose of digoxin depends on the preparation given and can be calculated by the equation of Jelliffe, which is largely based on the creatinine clearance of the patient. The daily digoxin dose must also be adjusted to take into consideration disease processes or concomitant drug therapy that can alter the volume of distribution, the biotransformation, or the excretion of the drug.