The Tissue Distribution and Excretion of Radioactive Digitoxin

Abstract

The tissue distribution and excretion of radioactive digitoxin and its metabolites were studied in normal rats and cats and in rats with dietary induced myocardial lesions. The prolonged cardiac and renal retention of digitoxin and its derivatives, associated with the persistence of these substancces in the excreta of sensitive animals, supports the concept of storage as an explanation for the cumulative action of certain of the cardiac glycosides. There is a suggestive increase in digitoxin metabolism in heart failure.