|
|
| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Digoxin
Test CodeDIG
Alias/See Also
Lanoxin®, DIG, DGNA, DRC Override Drug Level Protocol (Digoxin)
Preferred Specimen
1.0 mL plasma (0.5 mL minimum)
Instructions
Collect specimen at least 6-8 hours after last dose, regardless of route of administration (optimally 12-24 hours after a dose)
Transport Container
PST (light green top). Red top and SST also acceptable
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 8 hours, Refrigerated: 7 days, Frozen: 6 months
Limitations
Endogenous, digoxin-like immunoreactive factors (DLIF) have been detected in the serum and plasma of neonates, pregnant women, and patients in renal and hepatic failure. Several studies have established that these factors can cause falsely elevated digoxin measurements when assayed by commercially available immunoassays. The following substances have been shown to cross-react with this method: Digoxigenin, Gitoxin, Digitoxin, Acetyldigitoxin, Dihydrodigoxin.
Reference Range
Therapeutic: 0.80 - 1.99 ng/mL
Clinical Significance
Test results are used in the diagnosis and treatment of Digoxin overdose and in monitoring levels of Digoxin to ensure appropriate therapy. Digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, is used as an antiarrhythmic agent, both alone and in conjunction with other drugs. Absorption from the gastrointestinal tract is variable: 60-80% of the administered does is absorbed. Digoxin is excreted by the kidney almost entirely unchanged. Therefore, the patient’s renal function is an important consideration in determining dosage. In persons with normal kidney function the half-life is about 1.5 days. The most serious complications of digoxin toxicity are ventricular arrhythmias: ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation.
