Intravenous lipid emulsion prolongs survival in rats intoxicated with digoxin

• Published in: The American journal of emergency medicine 2016-06, Vol.34 (6), p.1112-1116
• Main Authors: Yurtlu, Bülent Serhan, M.D, Özbilgin, Şule, M.D, Yurtlu, Derya Arslan, M.D, Boztaş, Nilay, M.D, Kamacı, Gonca, D.V.M, Akaltun, Mahmut, Hancı, Volkan, M.D, Yılmaz, Osman, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents - toxicity; Digoxin - toxicity; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug dosages; Emergency; Emergency medical care; Emulsions; Fat Emulsions, Intravenous - therapeutic use; Heart Arrest - etiology; Heart Arrest - prevention & control; Heart rate; Hypotheses; Infusions, Intravenous; Intensive care; Laboratory animals; Lipids; Medical research; Mortality; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rodents; Studies; Ventilation
• ISSN: 0735-6757; 1532-8171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2016.03.038

Abstract Background Intravenous lipid emulsion eliminates the toxicity related symptoms for several drugs. We hypothesized that intravenous lipid emulsion prolongs the survival time in digoxin-intoxicated rats. Methods Electrocardiograms of 14 anesthesized Wistar rats were monitored. All of the rats received digoxin infusion at a rate of 12 ml/h (0.25 mg/ml). Five minutes after the start of digoxin infusion, animals were treated either with 12.4 ml/kg intravenous lipid emulsion (Group L) or saline (Group C). The primary outcome variable was time elapsed until asystole development. Cumulative dose of digoxin required to induce asystole was also recorded. Results Mean time until asystole development in Groups C and L were 21.28 ± 8.61 min and 32.00 ± 5.41 min, respectively (p < 0.05). The mean lethal doses of digoxin in the Groups C and L were 3.97 ± 1.54 mg/kg, and 6.09 ± 0.96 mg/kg, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion Intravenous lipid emulsion prolonged the time until asystole development and cumulative lethal dose in rats intoxicated with digoxin.