Digoxin Case Study
Evidence-based Recommendations
In the actual treatment plan of the case study, amiodarone was ordered. I was curious about why digoxin was not used in this case. I did research and found a randomized clinical trial published 3 months ago studied on whether amiodarone is more effective than digoxin in AF rate control. Participants were randomized into amiodarone or digoxin treatment groups. The results indicated that in AF patients with contraindications for beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, patients who received amiodarone resulted in significant lower failure rate (21.4% in amiodarone group vs 59.5% in digoxin group) and a faster response than those who received digoxin treatment (56.66 ± 39.52 minutes with amiodarone vs 135.38 ± …show more content…
In this case study, the medical intervention used amiodarone instead of digoxin; I think this is a good decision because now the evidence has been shown that amiodarone has a high chance …show more content…
Potassium is very important in maintain cardiac function. At low potassium levels, heart cells become more excitable and result in premature contraction and result in atrial fibrillation. In AF, the atrial contractions are impaired which lead to the blood pooling in the atria and increase the risk of blood clot, stroke, and congestive heart failure. To prevent the blood clot and stroke, heparin, an anticoagulant, and aspirin, an antiplatelet aggregation agent, are prescribed. It is critical to monitor and adjust the heparin level to meet the PTT goal of 45-55 seconds; assess any signs of bleeding, rash, chills, fever, itching and signs of heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic agent, is prescribed for treating ventricular tachycardia and dysrhythmia. Hydrochlorothiazide is on hold because the patient is under hypokalemia and his BP value is 96/74 mmHg due to the new onset of AF or antihypertensive medication. The medications like amiodarone and hydrochlorothiazide can cause hypotension and bradycardia, so monitor heart rate, BP, and cardiac rhythm. In addition, diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, was given after admission to dilate blood vessels and relax the heart muscles to reduce the heart
In the actual treatment plan of the case study, amiodarone was ordered. I was curious about why digoxin was not used in this case. I did research and found a randomized clinical trial published 3 months ago studied on whether amiodarone is more effective than digoxin in AF rate control. Participants were randomized into amiodarone or digoxin treatment groups. The results indicated that in AF patients with contraindications for beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, patients who received amiodarone resulted in significant lower failure rate (21.4% in amiodarone group vs 59.5% in digoxin group) and a faster response than those who received digoxin treatment (56.66 ± 39.52 minutes with amiodarone vs 135.38 ± …show more content…
In this case study, the medical intervention used amiodarone instead of digoxin; I think this is a good decision because now the evidence has been shown that amiodarone has a high chance …show more content…
Potassium is very important in maintain cardiac function. At low potassium levels, heart cells become more excitable and result in premature contraction and result in atrial fibrillation. In AF, the atrial contractions are impaired which lead to the blood pooling in the atria and increase the risk of blood clot, stroke, and congestive heart failure. To prevent the blood clot and stroke, heparin, an anticoagulant, and aspirin, an antiplatelet aggregation agent, are prescribed. It is critical to monitor and adjust the heparin level to meet the PTT goal of 45-55 seconds; assess any signs of bleeding, rash, chills, fever, itching and signs of heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic agent, is prescribed for treating ventricular tachycardia and dysrhythmia. Hydrochlorothiazide is on hold because the patient is under hypokalemia and his BP value is 96/74 mmHg due to the new onset of AF or antihypertensive medication. The medications like amiodarone and hydrochlorothiazide can cause hypotension and bradycardia, so monitor heart rate, BP, and cardiac rhythm. In addition, diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, was given after admission to dilate blood vessels and relax the heart muscles to reduce the heart