A/E
     Arrhythmia
          Atrial tachycardia with AV block is the arrhythmia most specific for digitalis toxicity
               Digitalis can increase the ectopy in the atria or ventricles, which can lead to atrial tachycardia
               P-waves are present, but may appear different from SA-node P-waves (the closer the extopic focus is to the SA-node, the more the P-waves resemble normal P-waves)
     Increased vagal tone
     Decreased conduction through the AV-node, potentially causing AV block
          Since it is rare for both ectopy and AV block to occur at the same time, when they do, the combination is fairly specific for digitalis toxicity

Content on this page has not been checked for accuracy. The author's credentials have not been confirmed. Always use multiple peer-reviewed scholarly sources and good clinical judgement in your decision making.

The Compendium platform was created by David Kwinter, MD, CCFP(EM).

Dr. Kwinter is a Cayman Family Doctor. He runs a Family Medicine Clinic at Cayman Medical in George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.