Massive digitoxin intoxication treated with digoxin-specific antibodies in a child

Pediatr Cardiol. 1994 Jan-Feb;15(1):48-9. doi: 10.1007/BF00797008.

Abstract

A 20-month-old girl with massive digitoxin intoxication (initial digitoxin serum level: 629 ng/ml) was successfully treated with digoxin-specific antibody fragments (Fab). She presented with moderate signs of digitalis toxicity (somnolence, bradycardia, first-degree AV block) and improved rapidly during fractional Fab administration. Free serum-digitoxin disappeared after 6 vials of Fab (480 mg), but was measurable again on days 6 and 7. This case demonstrated that digoxin-specific antibodies, despite a 30-100 times lesser affinity for digitoxin, are effective in massive digitoxin intoxications. A rebound phenomenon may occur several days later and should be taken into consideration.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Digitoxin / immunology
  • Digitoxin / pharmacokinetics
  • Digitoxin / poisoning*
  • Drug Overdose / blood
  • Drug Overdose / therapy*
  • Electrocardiography / drug effects
  • Female
  • Heart Block / blood
  • Heart Block / chemically induced
  • Heart Block / therapy
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / administration & dosage*
  • Infant
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Neurologic Examination / drug effects

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
  • digoxin antibodies Fab fragments
  • Digitoxin