EFFECT OF DIGOXIN ON THE CIRCULATION IN NORMAL MAN

Abstract

Digitalis is one of the oldest and most widely used drugs in clinical medicine. Its action in congestive cardiac failure has been thoroughly studied by many workers. Its action upon the normal circulation, however, has received relatively little attention. The concept that it lowers cardiac output and reduces central venous pressure in normal subjects continues to be expressed by many workers. This view, based on studies employing older, often inadequate methods, has been neither confirmed nor disproved by means of existing hmmodynamic techniques. This study, utilizing the technique of cardiac catheterization, was undertaken for the purpose of investigating the heemodynamic effect of digoxin upon the circulation in 12 normal subjects.