What is the mechanism of action of digoxin as an antiarrhythmic agent?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the specific mechanism by which digoxin works as an antiarrhythmic agent, focusing on its pharmacological effects and interactions in the body. The multiple-choice options suggest we need to identify the correct mechanism among the given choices related to cardiovascular pharmacology.
Answer
Digoxin inhibits Na+/K+ ATPase, increasing intracellular sodium and calcium, enhancing contractility, and slowing heart rate.
Digoxin functions as an antiarrhythmic agent by inhibiting the Na+/K+ ATPase enzyme, leading to an increase in intracellular sodium. This promotes calcium influx in cardiac cells, enhancing cardiac contractility and output while slowing heart rate by increasing vagal tone.
Answer for screen readers
Digoxin functions as an antiarrhythmic agent by inhibiting the Na+/K+ ATPase enzyme, leading to an increase in intracellular sodium. This promotes calcium influx in cardiac cells, enhancing cardiac contractility and output while slowing heart rate by increasing vagal tone.
More Information
Digoxin also enhances vagal tone, which slows conduction and increases the refractory period in cardiac tissues, contributing to its antiarrhythmic properties.
Tips
A common mistake is to focus solely on the increase in contractility without considering the effects on heart rate and conduction properties.
Sources
- Digoxin: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action | DrugBank Online - go.drugbank.com
- Digoxin - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics - sciencedirect.com
- Digitalis Toxicity - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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