- Title
- Efficacy and effectiveness of anti-digoxin antibodies in chronic digoxin poisonings from the DORA study (ATOM-1)
- Creator
- Chan, Betty S.; Isbister, Geoffrey K.; O'Leary, Margaret; Chiew, Angela; Buckley, Nicholas A.
- Relation
- NHMRC.1055176 & NHMRC. 1061041
- Relation
- Clinical Toxicology Vol. 54, Issue 6, p. 488-494
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2016.1175620
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2016
- Description
- Context: We hypothesized that in chronic digoxin toxicity, anti-digoxin antibodies (Fab) would be efficacious in binding digoxin, but this may not translate into improved clinical outcomes. Objective: This study aims to investigate changes in free digoxin concentrations and clinical effects on heart rate and potassium concentrations in chronic digoxin poisoning when anti-digoxin Fab are given. Materials and methods: This is a prospective observational study. Patients were recruited if they have been treated with anti-digoxin Fab for chronic digoxin poisoning. Data was entered into a standardised prospective form, supplemented with medical records. Their serum or plasma was collected, analysed for free and bound digoxin and free anti-digoxin Fab concentrations. Results: From September 2013 to February 2015, 36 patients (median age, 78 years; 22 females) were recruited from 18 hospitals. Median heart rate (HR) was 49 beats/min. Initial median digoxin and potassium concentrations were 4.7 nmol/L (3.6 µg/L) (range: 2.3-11.2 nmol/L) and 5.3 mmol/L (range: 2.9¿9.2 mmol/L) respectively. Beta-blockers (n = 18), calcium antagonists (n = 6), spironolactone and/or angiotensin blocking agents (n = 24) were also used concomitantly. Renal impairment and gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 31 (86%) and 22 (63%) patients respectively. Five patients died from conditions unrelated to digoxin toxicity. Median change in HR was 8 beats/min post-Fab with no effect on blood pressure; they were 4, 10 and 17 beats/min for the 1, 2 and ≥3 vials of anti-digoxin Fab groups respectively. Concomitant treatments with potassium lowering agents (12/36) and inotropic drugs (7/36) were used. Gastrointestinal effects resolved in all 22 patients. The median decrease for potassium was 0.3 mmol/L. Digoxin concentration reduced from 3.8 to 0 nmol/L post-Fab. There was a rebound observed in the free digoxin concentration in 25 patients but none had associated clinical deterioration. Conclusions: One to two vials of anti-digoxin Fab initially bound all free digoxin confirming Fab efficacy. However, this was associated with only a moderate improvement in HR and potassium, suggesting bradyarrhythmia and hyperkalaemia may be from other co-morbidities.
- Subject
- digoxin-Fab; digoxin intoxication; overdose
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1323524
- Identifier
- uon:24829
- Identifier
- ISSN:1556-3650
- Language
- eng
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