Prophylactic digitalization for thoracotomy: a reassessment.

Ritchie, A J; Bowe, P; Gibbons, J R · Ann Thorac Surg · 1990

rct · Level II

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Abstract

A prospective, controlled, randomized clinical study of 140 patients undergoing elective thoracic operations over a period of 1 year in a regional referral unit was performed in which one group received digoxin and the other did not. The incidence of cardiac arrhythmia was compared in each group. Overall mortality was 5.7%. There was no significant difference in incidence of cardiac arrhythmia in each group, and we conclude that the prophylactic use of digoxin in elective thoracic operations should be revised.

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