Maintenance digoxin in elderly patients

Abstract

Digitalis glycosides remain the cornerstone of treatment in cardiac failure. The increasing frequency of toxic effects is a cause for concern. Review of 80 elderly patients receiving digoxin on a maintenance basis, some of whom had toxic effects, shows that in almost three-quarters of the group digoxin was stopped without detriment. Elderly patients on maintenance treatment should be reviewed, and in the absence of a known primary cardiac lesion an attempt should be made to withdraw digoxin.