What is the primary function of digoxin?

What is the primary function of digoxin?

• A. Increases Cardiac Contractility but Slows Heart Rate
• B. Decreases Cardiac Contractility
• C. Increases Heart Rate
• D. Metabolized by the Liver to an Active Form

Answer: (D)

Digoxin’s primary function is to increase the strength of cardiac contractions (positive inotropy) by inhibiting the Na+/K+-ATPase pump in heart muscle cells. This raises intracellular calcium, which enhances the force of each heartbeat. It also boosts parasympathetic (vagal) tone, which slows the heart rate and slows conduction through the AV node, aiding rate control in conditions like atrial fibrillation. It isn’t metabolized by the liver to an active form; most of the drug is cleared by the kidneys as unchanged drug, so hepatic activation isn’t part of its action. That’s why the statement about liver metabolism to an active form isn’t accurate for digoxin.

Digoxin’s primary function is to increase the strength of cardiac contractions (positive inotropy) by inhibiting the Na+/K+-ATPase pump in heart muscle cells. This raises intracellular calcium, which enhances the force of each heartbeat. It also boosts parasympathetic (vagal) tone, which slows the heart rate and slows conduction through the AV node, aiding rate control in conditions like atrial fibrillation. It isn’t metabolized by the liver to an active form; most of the drug is cleared by the kidneys as unchanged drug, so hepatic activation isn’t part of its action. That’s why the statement about liver metabolism to an active form isn’t accurate for digoxin.