MASSIVE DIGOXIN INTOXICATION

Abstract

Abstract. Two patients who had ingested digoxin in great doses with suicidal intent are presented. They reached plasma digoxin levels of 8.1 and 14.4 ng/ml respectively. The urinary excretion, and for one of them the successive loading of tissue digoxin, were followed. Discrepancies were found due to one of the patients being previously undigitalized, the other having for many years been on digitalis treatment. During the first days of intoxication atrial arrhythmias and A‐V block predominated. No ventricular arrhythmias were seen. At a level less than 2 ng/ml the digitalis‐induced dysrhythmias disappeared.