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Clinical Pharmacology in the Aged / Klinische Pharmakologie im Alter pp 93–100Cite as

The Discontinuation of Digitalis Glycoside Therapy in the Elderly

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Part of the book series: Methods in Clinical Pharmacology ((MECLPH,volume 6))

Summary

Digitalis is the drug of the aged. Discontinuation of digitalis in selected patients is possible in 40% to 100% of the cases without a detrimental effect. After discontinuation of digitalis, atrial fibrillation and heart failure will occur in 5% to 20% of the cases. The use of digitoxin in hemodialysis patients does not increase the frequency of ventricular ectopic beats. The indications for digitalis treatment should be atrial fibrillation and heart failure and not the causes of heart failure per se (age, hypertension, coronary artery or valvular heart diesease, cardiomyopathy, uremia). The value of digitalis increases as heart failure progresses. Since heart failure advances with age, the “truth” appears to lie between the extremes: critical use but no rigorous withdrawal of digitalis glycosides in the elderly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Steglitz, Freie Universität, Hindenburgdamm 30, D-1000, Berlin 45, Deutschland

    F. Keller, D. Andresen & A. Schwarz

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  1. F. Keller
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  2. D. Andresen
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  3. A. Schwarz
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  4. H.-F. Voehringer
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Pharmacology, Federal Republic of Germany

    Norbert Rietbrock (Professor) (Professor)

  2. Clinical Pharmacology, University Clinic, Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany

    Barry G. Woodcock (Senior Lecturer) (Senior Lecturer)

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© 1987 Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden

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Keller, F., Andresen, D., Schwarz, A., Voehringer, HF. (1987). The Discontinuation of Digitalis Glycoside Therapy in the Elderly. In: Rietbrock, N., Woodcock, B.G. (eds) Clinical Pharmacology in the Aged / Klinische Pharmakologie im Alter. Methods in Clinical Pharmacology, vol 6. Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-322-89728-2_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-322-89728-2_12

  • Publisher Name: Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-528-07935-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-322-89728-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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