Digoxin intoxication in a patient with end-stage renal disease: Efficacy of digoxin-specific Fab antibody fragments and peritoneal dialysis

Digoxin intoxication is a serious medical problem, and impairment of renal function is a common risk factor for toxicity. Digoxin specific antibody fragments (Fab) is the most effective treatment available for severe digitalis intoxication. The use of Fab therapy in a patient with renal disease is considered as effective as in patients with normal renal function, although the increased risk of rebound digoxin toxicity mandates a longer period of observation. In patients with kidney failure, neither digoxin nor Fab can be removed efficiently from the systemic circulation by hemodialysis or continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration. Knowledge about the clearance of both compounds by peritoneal dialysis is limited. The authors describe a patient with end stage renal disease who was treated with Fab and peritoneal dialysis for life threatening digoxin intoxication. Like other forms of dialysis, peritoneal dialysis, even when performed in an intensive schedule, is not associated with an enhanced clearance of digoxin.