Effects of Digoxin on Acute, Atrial Fibrillation–Induced Changes in Atrial Refractoriness

Abstract

After a brief episode of AF, digoxin augments the shortening that occurs in atrial refractoriness and predisposes to the reinduction of AF. These effects occur in the setting of autonomic blockade and therefore are more likely to be due to the effects of digoxin on intracellular calcium than to its vagotonic effects.