Digoxin Test:
Why Digoxin Test ?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
Digoxin is one of the oldest cardiovascular medications (but has a narrow therapeutic window), as it originates from the foxglove plant (also called as digitalis plant). Digoxin belongs to the class of medicines called digitalis glycosides. It improves the strength and efficiency of the heart, stabilized abnormal rate and rhythm heartbeat especially in cases such as heart rhythm disorders of the atria – the upper chamber of the heart eg. Atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter (causing atrial arrhythmias) and treats angina, heart failure etc. This helps in better blood circulation and helps reduce swelling of hands and ankles in patients with congestive heart failure patients. The mechanism of action of digoxin (Digoxin is a positive inotropic and negative chronotropic drug i.e means it increases the force of the heartbeat but decreases the heart rate) is that it increases the force of contraction of the myocytes (heart muscles) in the heart by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme ATPase – which controls the movement of calcium, sodium and potassium into the heart. Digoxin is administered in conjunction with diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for optimal effect. Common side effects include dizziness, mental disturbances, diarrhea, headaches, nausea, vomiting, which can cause allergic reactions i.e erythema (red rash) etc. This digoxin medication is contradicted in patients with ventricular fibrillation, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea causing electrolyte imbalance (low levels of calcium, potassium or magnesium levels in the body), myocarditis, infection in the heart muscle, AV block, patients with a pacemaker, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (sudden fast heartbeats), kidney or thyroid diseases and previous history of heart attacks. Digoxin test for digoxin is done in blood sample specimen to measure the amount of digoxin circulating in the body. Since has a very narrow therapeutic window, monitoring its dose in dose becomes significant. Maintenance of the constant accurate levels of its dose remains important because if its levels fall it fails to achieve its bio-availability for its maximum therapeutic efficacy and when the overdose is reached accidentally, then it further worsens the heart ailment of the patient drastically.
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen - Blood sample collected from the vein. Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RTDIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
