Rapid diagnostic test for renal failure accompanying toxic digitalis heart failure patients by estimating Na, K in serum

Abstract

This study was undertaken to compare the electrolytes K, and Na levels serum of (67) toxic digitalis uremic heart failure patients and their levels in the serum of 50 digitalis (not toxic) heart failure patients. The electrolyte level of K and Na was found to be very low and severe hyponatremia and hypokalemia in the serum of toxic uremic and heart failure patients while their levels were found to be near normal values or slightly higher in digitalis heart failure patients. This study does not support that digoxin might have a protective effect against renal dysfunction in heart failure patients.