A COMPARISON OF DIGOXIN CONCENTRATION - TIME CURVES BEFORE AND AFTER OPEN-HEART-SURGERY

The effects of open heart surgery on serum digoxin concentration - tim e curves were investigated in 10 cardiac patients receiving 0.25 mg/da y digoxin. Blood samples were obtained from the patients immediately b efore and 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 16 and 24 h after digoxin administration, bot h before open-heart surgery and 7 days after surgery. Serum digoxin co ncentrations, determined by fluorescence polarization immuno-assay, si gnificantly (P < 0.05) increased after surgery, as did the maximum ser um concentrations and the areas under the concentration - time curves. After surgery there was a significant increase in the serum gamma-glu tamyl transferase concentration and a significant reduction in the tot al protein concentration. A reduction of digoxin dose may be appropria te for patients who have undergone open-heart surgery.