Review of the use of digitalis glycosides in ventricular dysrhythmia
De Mey, C.; Snoeck, J.
Acta cardiologica 35(2): 153-165
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5385 PMID: 7008474 Document Number: 168462
The present publication reviews actual knowledge of the electrophysiological properties of low doses of digitalis in perspective of its use in patients with ventricular dysrhythmia. Both animal experiments and observations in humans have demonstrated that increased adrenergic and decreased cholinergic tone predispose to ventricular arrhythmia. An increased cholinergic tone on the other hand has been shown to protect against increased ventricular vulnerability, especially in situations of increased adrenergic tone. Therefore the combination of the cholinergic and anti-adrenergic actions of digitalis may help to control situations of increased ventricular vulnerability. This principle is especially attractive because digitalis, in contrast to classical anti-arrhythmics is devoid of any cardiodepressive effects. The clinical experience with digitalis in ventricular dysrhythmia as documented by the group of Lown is discussed in detail. The studies presently available do not yet allow digitalis to be accepted as a drug of first choice in this indication, but its careful use is not longer to be rejected for patients with non-digitalis induced ventricular dysrhythmia.