Decreased calcium content in patients with digoxin intoxication.

The platelet calcium content, the plasma calcium level and the serum digoxin were examined in 90 individuals divided into the following four groups : I -- patients with digoxin intoxication; II -- treated with digoxin; III -- treated with digoxin and furosemide, and IV -- control subjects. The patients with digoxin intoxication showed a lower platelet calcium content as compared to subjects of the other groups (p less than 0.001), whereas the serum digoxin level was significantly higher than in the patients of groups II and III (p less than 0.001). Since the examination of the platelet calcium level is a relatively simple and rapid procedure, with reliable results, its use as a routine method in the determination of digoxin intoxication is suggested.