Prevalence of Inappropriate Use of Digoxin in 136 Patients on Digoxin and Prevalence of Use of Warfarin or Aspirin in 89 Patients With Persistent or Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Of 136 patients, mean age 72 years, receiving digoxin in the hospital or in the medical clinic, 47 (35%) had heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and symptoms despite optimal medical therapy, 82 (60%) had persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), and 7 (5%) had paroxysmal AF. The prevalence of inappropriate use of digoxin was 5%. Of 89 patients with persistent or paroxysmal AF, 70 (79%) were being treated with warfarin to maintain an International Normalized Ratio between 2.0 and 3.0, 15 (17%) were being treated with aspirin 325 mg daily, and 4 (4%) were not being treated with warfarin or aspirin. The prevalence of nonuse of warfarin or aspirin in patients with persistent or paroxysmal AF was 4%.