[Use and mechanism of action of digitalis glycosides as anti-arrhythmic drugs].

Digitalis glycosides are used in the supraventricular arrhythmias either to slow the ventricular response or to restore or maintain sinus rhythm. The direct cellular effects of digitalis are probably not involved in its antiarrhythmic action. The indirect effects of digitalis through parasympathetic stimulation and adrenergic inhibition explain the results obtained when treating arrhythmias. At toxic doses, adrenergic stimulation may contribute to the arrhythmias of digitalis toxicity.