What is the therapeutic use of digoxin?

Digoxin is primarily used in the treatment of heart failure and atrial fibrillation due to its ability to increase the force of myocardial contraction (positive inotropic effect) and to help control heart rate (negative chronotropic effect). In heart failure, digoxin improves symptoms by enhancing the heart's pumping efficiency, which can alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. For patients with atrial fibrillation, digoxin helps slow down the heart rate, providing better rhythm control and improved cardiac output.

The therapeutic effects of digoxin stem from its action on cellular sodium and potassium levels, which ultimately enhances calcium availability for contraction. This unique mechanism makes it particularly beneficial for patients suffering from these specific heart conditions, distinguishing it from medications used for hypertension management, anticoagulation, or cholesterol lowering, which serve entirely different therapeutic purposes.