Newcastle Laboratories

Digoxin, serum

Clinical Background:

Digoxin is widely prescribed for the treatment of congestive heart failure and various disturbances of cardiac rhythm. Used in the management of chronic cardiac failure where the dominant problem i...

Digoxin is widely prescribed for the treatment of congestive heart failure and various disturbances of cardiac rhythm. Used in the management of chronic cardiac failure where the dominant problem is systolic dysfunction.
Its therapeutic benefit is greatest in patients with ventricular dilatation.
Specifically indicated where cardiac failure is accompanied by atrial fibrillation
Used in the management of certain supraventricular arrhythmias, particularly chronic atrial flutter and fibrillation.
Therapeutic use of digoxin improves the strength of myocardial contraction and results in the beneficial effects of increased cardiac output, decreased heart size, decreased venous pressure, and decreased blood volume.

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Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    1 mL blood

    1 mL blood

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    0.5 mL blood

    0.5 mL blood

  • Special Requirement:

    Sample should be taken at least 6 hours post dose.

    Sample should be taken at least 6 hours post dose.

  • Sample Stability:

    Before separation: Unknown

    After separation:

    at +15° to +25°C: 2 weeks
    at +2° to +8°C: 3 months 
    at -20°C: 6 months

    Before separation: Unknown

    After separation:

    at +15° to +25°C: 2 weeks
    at +2° to +8°C: 3 months 
    at -20°C: 6 months

  • Reference Ranges:

    Therapeutic range: 0.5 - 1.0 µg/L

    Therapeutic range: 0.5 - 1.0 µg/L

  • Other Info:

    Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

    Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

  • Routine Contact Name:

    Duty Biochemist

  • Routine Telephone:

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

  • Routine Email:

Availability:

24/7, analysed at RVI

Turn Around:

- Urgent testing is available by arrangement with the laboratory. Please contact the Duty Biochemist to arrange this.

- Routine sample: 4 hours

Send To:

Department of Blood Sciences

Level 3
Leazes Wing
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4LP

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