Low-dose digoxin cuts heart-failure hospital stays by a quarter

Cardiologists Dirk Jan van Veldhuisen, Kevin Damman and Peter van der Meer led three trials at Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen that examined low-dose digoxin in heart-failure patients. In a randomized study of 1,000 participants across 43 Dutch centres, those receiving digoxin saw a 25% drop in hospital admissions compared with placebo, and a non-significant 19% reduction in cardiovascular deaths. A pooled analysis with two prior studies reinforced the statistical significance of the hospitalisation benefit while confirming safety.

A follow-up of about 600 original participants revealed a surge in problems within six weeks after digoxin cessation. The drug, costing less than ten cents per day, could be re-introduced as a fifth pillar alongside the current “Fantastic Four” regimen, pending guideline updates. Funding for the research was provided by Hartstichting in partnership with ZonMw under the Good Use of Medicines programme.