Digoxin, also known by the brand name Lanoxin, is a drug used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms known as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Digoxin is extracted from the leaves of a plant called digitalis lanata. It works by strengthening heart muscles which in turn increases the movement of blood from the heart to the whole body. The presence of digoxin in the blood, therefore, has a positive circulatory, or hemodynamic, effect.
Improved Contraction
According to FamilyDoctor.org, digoxin increases the force of contraction of the heart which enables the ventricles to pump blood effectively to the body. This is helpful for conditions such as heart failure, which the National Institutes of Health says is the ineffective pumping of the heart resulting in fluid retention and poor tissue perfusion. Signs of heart failure include shortness of breath, irregular rapid heart beat, cough, swelling of the feet, sudden weight gain and difficulties sleeping.
Slows Electrical Conduction
Digoxin slows the electrical conduction between the heart's atria and ventricles. This in turn enables the ventricles to pump more effectively and increase blood movement through the body. The National Institutes of Health states that atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm caused by rapid contraction of the atria. During rapid electrical rhythms, electrical signals from the atria cause rapid contractions of the ventricles. Rapid ventricular contractions are inefficient in pumping blood to the body.
Relieves Atrial Flutter
Digoxin relieves symptoms of atrial flutter, slowing electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles and leading to proper functioning of ventricles and increased blood flow to the body. According to MedlinePlus, atrial flutter is a fast electrical impulse that causes the atria to contract very rapidly. When the impulse reaches the ventricles, they also contract rapidly resulting in decreased movement of blood from the heart to the body. Patients with atrial flutter experience weakness, shortness of breath and fainting.
