Digoxin
| Label Mnemonic: | DIG |
| Epic code: | LAB23 |
| Downtime form: | Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery |
Chemistry
6240 RCP
356-3527
6240 RCP
356-3527
Specimen(s):
Plasma
Collection Medium:
 |
| Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL |
Alternate
Collection Media:
Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.
Minimum:
3 mL whole blood in light green top tube or TWO
Microtainer® devices.
Testing Schedule:
24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Turn Around
Time:
1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)
Reference Range:
Therapeutic: <2.0 ng/mL for trough levels (see comments)
Critical value: >2.0 ng/mL (adults)
Critical value: >2.0 ng/mL (adults)
Comments:
This assay may be significantly impacted by high-dose biotin (>5 mg
dose) taken within previous 12 hours. High concentrations of biotin
may lead to falsely increased results. These concentrations may be
found in patients taking over-the-counter supplements with biotin
content much higher than nutritional requirements for biotin.
Specimens should not be collected until at least 12 hours after the
last dose.
This assay measures both bound and free digoxin, so elevated values will be found in patients undergoing treatment with digoxin antidote therapy (e.g., DigiFab or Digibind antibody fragments).
The general therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.5-2.0 ng/mL. However, the optimal therapeutic range for a given patient may differ based on factors such as patient age and indication for therapy. American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) / American Heart Association (AHA) 2013 guidelines recommend therapeutic digoxin plasma levels of 0.5-0.9 ng/mL for management of heart failure (1). For treatment of atrial fibrillation, digoxin plasma levels up to 2 ng/mL may be necessary to achieve better ventricular rate control. Pediatric reference ranges have not been established.
Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic window, and plasma concentrations greater than 2 ng/mL confer high risk of adverse effects. Elderly patients are more susceptible to adverse effects and more likely to show toxicity even at plasma levels of 1.4-2.0 ng/mL.
This assay measures both bound and free digoxin, so elevated values will be found in patients undergoing treatment with digoxin antidote therapy (e.g., DigiFab or Digibind antibody fragments).
The general therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.5-2.0 ng/mL. However, the optimal therapeutic range for a given patient may differ based on factors such as patient age and indication for therapy. American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) / American Heart Association (AHA) 2013 guidelines recommend therapeutic digoxin plasma levels of 0.5-0.9 ng/mL for management of heart failure (1). For treatment of atrial fibrillation, digoxin plasma levels up to 2 ng/mL may be necessary to achieve better ventricular rate control. Pediatric reference ranges have not been established.
Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic window, and plasma concentrations greater than 2 ng/mL confer high risk of adverse effects. Elderly patients are more susceptible to adverse effects and more likely to show toxicity even at plasma levels of 1.4-2.0 ng/mL.
Test
Limitations:
The assay is unaffected by icterus (bilirubin is less than 66 mg/dL),
hemolysis (Hb is less than 1000 mg/dL), lipemia (Intralipid is less
than 1500 mg/dL), and biotin (less than 100 ng/mL) (criterion:
recovery within plus or minus 0.08 ng/mL if digoxin is less than 0.8
ng/mL, or within plus or minus 10% if digoxin levels are greater than
0.8 ng/mL). No interference was observed from rheumatoid factors up to
a concentration of 1630 IU/mL).
Uzara, nabumetone, hydrocortisone, canrenone and pentoxifylline cause falsely elevated digoxin results at concentrations of the recommended daily dose. Spironolactone causes elevated digoxin results above drug levels of 10,000 ng/mL. Digoxin-like immunoreactive substances (DLIS) have been identified in blood from patients in renal failure, liver failure, and pregnant women in their third trimester. DLIS can lead to false elevation of digoxin when measured by immunoassays.
References:
(1) 2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure: Executive Summary. A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;62(16):1495-1539
(2) Valdiva R, Hornig Y, Gross S, Khayam-Bashi H: Digoxin-like Immunoreactive Factor Cross-reactivity in the CEDIA Digoxin R Assay on the RA-1000. Clin. Chem. 1990;36(6):1111
Uzara, nabumetone, hydrocortisone, canrenone and pentoxifylline cause falsely elevated digoxin results at concentrations of the recommended daily dose. Spironolactone causes elevated digoxin results above drug levels of 10,000 ng/mL. Digoxin-like immunoreactive substances (DLIS) have been identified in blood from patients in renal failure, liver failure, and pregnant women in their third trimester. DLIS can lead to false elevation of digoxin when measured by immunoassays.
References:
(1) 2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure: Executive Summary. A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;62(16):1495-1539
(2) Valdiva R, Hornig Y, Gross S, Khayam-Bashi H: Digoxin-like Immunoreactive Factor Cross-reactivity in the CEDIA Digoxin R Assay on the RA-1000. Clin. Chem. 1990;36(6):1111
Methodology:
Competition Principle
Assay methodology updated on 5/23/17
Assay methodology updated on 5/23/17
CPT Code:
80162