Digitalis and Atrial Tachycardia with Block

Abstract

DIGITALIS intoxication is a serious problem in the management of patients with congestive heart failure. Although numerous recent reports emphasize the increasing frequency of digitalis poisoning, there is as yet little appreciation of the digitalis-induced atrial arrhythmias. These disorders generally represent far advanced intoxication. It is currently taught that digitalis is the drug of choice in the treatment of supraventricular tachycardias. Obviously, its use to combat digitalis-induced atrial tachycardia is fraught with hazard and may lead to increasing decompensation and even death.The prototype of the atrial arrhythmias due to digitalis overdosage is paroxysmal atrial tachycardia with block. It is . . .