Problems of an optimum digitalis therapy.

In 25 digitalized patients with ischaemic heart disease who had survived a myocardial infarction for 2 to 4 weeks, the systolic time intervals (STI) and changes of glycoside plasma level were measured before and up to 5 hrs after oral intake of a maintenance dose of digitoxin (n = 18) or of digoxin (n = 7). Between the changes of STI and the increase in digitoxon and digoxin plasma level no significant correlations were found. Therefore it is concluded that neither shortening of STI during the test period nor PEP/LVET are reliable criteria of individualizing and optimizing the therapy with cardioactive glycosides.