[Digitalis poisoning treated with a specific antidote].

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.

• Authors: E O Rykke, J E Bredesen, O Stokland, D Jacobsen
• Journal: Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke (Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen) Vol. 118 Issue 3 Pg. 408-10 (Jan 30 1998) ISSN: 0029-2001 [Print] Norway
• Vernacular Title: Digitalisforgiftning behandlet med spesifikt antidot.
• PMID: 9499730 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
• Antidotes
• Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
• Digitoxin

Topics

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents (blood, immunology, poisoning)
• Antidotes (administration & dosage)
• Digitoxin (blood, immunology, poisoning)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments (administration & dosage)
• Injections, Intravenous
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Suicide, Attempted