Hyperkalemia complicating digoxin toxicity in a patient with renal failure. 1985

M A Papadakis, and M P Wexman, and C Fraser, and S M Sedlacek

We describe the occurrence of hyperkalemia in a stable hemodialysis patient who developed digoxin toxicity. The patient had been receiving digoxin for 2 years. His maintenance digoxin dose was increased from 0.125 to 0.25 mg three times a week, which resulted in a toxic serum level of 4.9 ng/mL (therapeutic range is 0.8 to 2.0 ng/mL). As a consequence of the digoxin toxicity, he became hyperkalemic (7.8 mEq/L), and this value returned to normal only after the digoxin level was lowered by a combination of oral charcoal and dialysis. This study shows how readily hyperkalemia can occur in an anephric patient manifesting digoxin toxicity. Thus, potentially lethal hyperkalemia can occur in hemodialysis patients who ingest therapeutic quantities of digoxin. Digoxin toxicity should be added to the differential diagnosis of hyperkalemia in patients with renal failure. This can occur despite the absence of a history of massive ingestion of a cardiac glycoside.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007676 Kidney Failure, Chronic The end-stage of CHRONIC RENAL INSUFFICIENCY. It is characterized by the severe irreversible kidney damage (as measured by the level of PROTEINURIA) and the reduction in GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE to less than 15 ml per min (Kidney Foundation: Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative, 2002). These patients generally require HEMODIALYSIS or KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION. ESRD,End-Stage Renal Disease,Renal Disease, End-Stage,Renal Failure, Chronic,Renal Failure, End-Stage,Chronic Kidney Failure,End-Stage Kidney Disease,Chronic Renal Failure,Disease, End-Stage Kidney,Disease, End-Stage Renal,End Stage Kidney Disease,End Stage Renal Disease,End-Stage Renal Failure,Kidney Disease, End-Stage,Renal Disease, End Stage,Renal Failure, End Stage
D008297 Male Males
D011433 Propranolol A widely used non-cardioselective beta-adrenergic antagonist. Propranolol has been used for MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION; ARRHYTHMIA; ANGINA PECTORIS; HYPERTENSION; HYPERTHYROIDISM; MIGRAINE; PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA; and ANXIETY but adverse effects instigate replacement by newer drugs. Dexpropranolol,AY-20694,Anaprilin,Anapriline,Avlocardyl,Betadren,Dociton,Inderal,Obsidan,Obzidan,Propanolol,Propranolol Hydrochloride,Rexigen,AY 20694,AY20694,Hydrochloride, Propranolol
D004077 Digoxin A cardiotonic glycoside obtained mainly from Digitalis lanata; it consists of three sugars and the aglycone DIGOXIGENIN. Digoxin has positive inotropic and negative chronotropic activity. It is used to control ventricular rate in ATRIAL FIBRILLATION and in the management of congestive heart failure with atrial fibrillation. Its use in congestive heart failure and sinus rhythm is less certain. The margin between toxic and therapeutic doses is small. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p666) Digacin,Digitek,Digoregen,Digoxina Boehringer,Digoxine Nativelle,Dilanacin,Hemigoxine Nativelle,Lanacordin,Lanicor,Lanoxicaps,Lanoxin,Lanoxin-PG,Lenoxin,Mapluxin,Boehringer, Digoxina,Lanoxin PG,Nativelle, Digoxine,Nativelle, Hemigoxine
D004305 Dose-Response Relationship, Drug The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug. Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D006435 Renal Dialysis Therapy for the insufficient cleansing of the BLOOD by the kidneys based on dialysis and including hemodialysis, PERITONEAL DIALYSIS, and HEMODIAFILTRATION. Dialysis, Extracorporeal,Dialysis, Renal,Extracorporeal Dialysis,Hemodialysis,Dialyses, Extracorporeal,Dialyses, Renal,Extracorporeal Dialyses,Hemodialyses,Renal Dialyses
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006947 Hyperkalemia Abnormally high potassium concentration in the blood, most often due to defective renal excretion. It is characterized clinically by electrocardiographic abnormalities (elevated T waves and depressed P waves, and eventually by atrial asystole). In severe cases, weakness and flaccid paralysis may occur. (Dorland, 27th ed) Hyperpotassemia,Hyperkalemias,Hyperpotassemias
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly

Related Publications

M A Papadakis, and M P Wexman, and C Fraser, and S M Sedlacek
October 1996, Annals of emergency medicine,
M A Papadakis, and M P Wexman, and C Fraser, and S M Sedlacek
January 1984, Clinical pharmacy,
M A Papadakis, and M P Wexman, and C Fraser, and S M Sedlacek
January 2015, GE Portuguese journal of gastroenterology,
M A Papadakis, and M P Wexman, and C Fraser, and S M Sedlacek
January 2013, Farmacia hospitalaria : organo oficial de expresion cientifica de la Sociedad Espanola de Farmacia Hospitalaria,
M A Papadakis, and M P Wexman, and C Fraser, and S M Sedlacek
May 1997, Annals of emergency medicine,
M A Papadakis, and M P Wexman, and C Fraser, and S M Sedlacek
May 1997, Annals of emergency medicine,
M A Papadakis, and M P Wexman, and C Fraser, and S M Sedlacek
May 1997, Annals of emergency medicine,
M A Papadakis, and M P Wexman, and C Fraser, and S M Sedlacek
December 1976, British journal of clinical pharmacology,
M A Papadakis, and M P Wexman, and C Fraser, and S M Sedlacek
March 1979, Southern medical journal,
M A Papadakis, and M P Wexman, and C Fraser, and S M Sedlacek
February 2014, QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians,
Copied contents to your clipboard!