Reversal of Digoxin Toxicity with Specific Antibodies

Abstract

To determine whether digoxin-specific antibodies can reverse established digoxin toxicity in the dog, digoxin intoxication was produced by the intramuscular administration of digoxin, 0.09 mg/kg, on each of 3 consecutive days. All animals developed toxic arrhythmias (atrioventricular block, ventricular premature contractions and/or ventricular tachycardia). In control animals not receiving antidigoxin antibodies, the arrhythmias persisted throughout a 6 hr study period. Seven of the nine control dogs were dead within 24 hr and one moribund animal was sacrificed at that time; the last animal died within 48 hr.In contrast, in six of eight dogs given digoxin-specific antibodies in canine plasma and/or rabbit serum, the arrhythmias reverted to a sinus mechanism within 30-90 min after the start of the infusion. At the end of a 6 hr period of study, these six dogs were in normal sinus rhythm and all eight were alive and in normal sinus rhythm at the end of 72 hr. This study provides evidence that digoxin-specific antibodies can reverse severe established digoxin toxicity in the dog.