Summary
Eight healthy volunteers were studied to ascertain the effect of digoxin and the relatively more lipophylic cardiac glycoside, acetyl-digitoxin on ventilation. Baseline ventilation as well as the response to the inspiration of 2.2% and 4.8% carbon dioxide were assessed. Digoxin produced a depression of minute volume and oxygen consumption whereas acetyl-digitoxin produced the opposite effect. This could be the result of a relatively greater vagomimetic effect with digoxin and a greater symphatomimetic effect with acetyl-digitoxin. These findings might have clinical implications in cardiac patients who have pulmonary disease.
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Joubert, P.H., du Plooy, W.J., Booyens, J. et al. Effects of digoxin and acetyl-digitoxin on basal and CO2-stimulated ventilation. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 28, 155–158 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00609684
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00609684