In: Nursing
Digoxin increases the strength and efficiency of heart contractions, and is useful in the treatment of heart failure and control the rate and rhythm of heart. It increases the force of contraction of the heart muscles by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme ( ATPase) that controls movement of calcium, sodium, and potassium in to heart muscle. Calcium controls the force of contraction. Inhibing ATPase increases calcium in heart muscle and therefore increases the force of heart contractions. Digoxin also slows electrical conduction between the atria and the ventricles of the heart and is useful in treating abnormally rapid atrial rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter an.d atrial tachycardia.