Serum digoxin levels determination by radioimmunoassay in clinical practice

Serum digoxin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay in 138 patients on maintenance treatment with digoxin, deslanoside, prednisone, spironolactone and in controls. Mean serum digoxin level for the daily dose of 0,25 mg was 0,86 ng/ml, and for the dose of 0,5 mg daily - 1,86 ng/ml respectively. Similar values were obtained in patients on deslanoside treatment. Non-specific serum digoxin concentrations in patients treated with prednisone or aldactone were mostly under therapeutic levels. Both clinical and electrocardiographic features of digitalis intoxication were usually found at the serum digoxin levels over 2,5 ng/ml. (author)