[Evaluation of the clinical effect of treatment with cardiac glycosides under conditions of ambulatory observation].

Thirty-four patients with rheumatic heart disease and 22 with atherosclerotic and post-infarction cardiosclerosis, signs of stage I-IIB circulatory insufficiency, and disorders of cardiac rhythm (auricular fibrillation) were kept under out-patient care for periods of 6 to 42 months. They all received cardiac glycosides per os in a maintenance dose determined in the clinic after intravenous digitalization. Clinical and echocardiographic examination of the patients was conducted every 4 to 6 months. Depending on the effect of long-term digitalization, all patients were divided into clinical groups in which the causes of the disturbed compensation were determined. The importance of regular doctor's control over proper intake of the maintenance dose of glycosides and its correction depending on each concrete clinical situation is stressed.