The left ventricular systolic function after digoxin administration in patients with chronic renal failure.

The responses in the left ventricular systolic time intervals following digoxin administration (0.5 mg i.v.) were studied in 11 patients with chronic renal failure and hypertension. The control group comprised 11 patients with mild essential hypertension. There were no clinical signs of congestive heart failure in any of the patients. Before digoxin administration total electromechanical systole (QS2), the pre-ejection period (PEP) and the PEP/LVET ratio were greater, while the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) was shorter than in the control group (P < 0.001). In patients with chronic renal failure digoxin administration induced a reduction in QS2, PEP and PEP/LVET ratio and a prolongation of LVET (P < 0.001). These data suggest latent heart failure in the group of patients studied with chronic renal failure. It seems to be advisable to use digitalis preparations in patients with chronic renal failure despite the absence of clinical signs of heart failure.