Q: The degree of hyperkalemia in acute digoxin toxicity correlates with the risk of death.
A) True
B) False
Answer: A
Acute digoxin toxicity results in hyperkalemia due to inhibition of the sodium-potassium-ATPase pump. The higher the degree of inhibition, the higher the hyperkalemia and the chances of death. Digoxin-specific Fab fragments bring the sodium-potassium ATPase pump function to normal, and potassium moves intracellularly. On the flip side, very aggressive treatment of hyperkalemia during that period may result in life-threatening hypokalemia following digitalis antidote therapy.
Although the literature is old in this regard, it is still very valid.
#electrolytes
#pharmacology
#cardiology
#toxicology
References:
1. Bismuth C, Gaultier M, Conso F, Efthymiou ML. Hyperkalemia in acute digitalis poisoning: prognostic significance and therapeutic implications. Clin Toxicol 1973; 6:153.
2. Manini AF, Nelson LS, Hoffman RS. Prognostic utility of serum potassium in chronic digoxin toxicity: a case-control study. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2011 Jun 1;11(3):173-8. doi: 10.2165/11590340-000000000-00000. PMID: 21619380; PMCID: PMC4961037.
3. Papadakis MA, Wexman MP, Fraser C, Sedlacek SM. Hyperkalemia complicating digoxin toxicity in a patient with renal failure. Am J Kidney Dis. 1985 Jan;5(1):64-6. doi: 10.1016/s0272-6386(85)80139-6. PMID: 3966471.
No comments:
Post a Comment