Clinical evaluation of intermittent maintenance digoxin therapy in congestive heart failure with sinus rhythm

Objective To study the effects of intermittent maintenance digoxin therapy in congestive heart failure with sinus rhythm. Methods One hundred and thirteen congestive heart failure patients with sinus rhythm divided into group A (56 cases with intermittent maintenance digoxin treatment) and group B (57 cases with continuous maintenance digoxin treatment) were observed for 8 months. Results As compared with the pretreatment data, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and heart rate (HR) (LVEF 0 36±0 12 vs 0 42±0 11 and 0 44±0 14 in group A, 0 36±0 15 vs 0 43±0 13 and 0 45±0 15 in group B; HR 98±15 vs 76±16 and 74±14 in group A, 100 ±12 vs 75±12 and 75±16 in group B, respectively) were significantly improved ( P 0 01) at the 3rd and 8th month of treatment. The total occurrence rate of digoxin overload or toxication in group A was significantly lower than those in group B (3 6% vs 12 3%, respectively ( P 0 01). Conclusion Intermittent maintenance digoxin treatment in congestive heart failure with sinus rhythm is effective and safe, with a lower digitalis toxication occurrence compared with continuous maintenance digoxin treatment.