Influence of the cardiac glycoside digoxin on cardiac troponin I, acid–base and electrolyte balance, and haematobiochemical profiles in healthy donkeys ( Equus asinus )

摘要

Background The effect of digoxin administration on the serum concentration of the cardiac troponin I (cTnI) has not been reported to date in equidae. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the effect of digoxin on cardiac cell damage in donkeys ( Equus asinus ) as assessed by cTnI, acid–base and electrolyte balance and haematobiochemical profiles. Ten clinically healthy donkeys were given an IV infusion of digoxin at a dose of 14?μg/kg. Blood samples were collected from the donkeys up through 72?h post-injection. Results Three of the donkeys exhibited increased heart and respiratory rates post-injection. In the other seven animals, the heart and respiratory rates were lower 4?h post-injection. The serum digoxin concentration increased significantly at many time points after injection. The serum concentration of cTnI did not differ significantly between pre- and post-injection. An increase in blood pH was noted at 3?h after digoxin injection. There were also increases in PO₂ and in oxygen saturation. Decreases in PCO₂ at 2 to 48?h post-injection as well as a decrease in blood lactate at 4?h post-injection were observed. The serum concentration of glucose remained significantly elevated at all-time points after digoxin injection. Conclusions It is concluded that administration of digoxin to healthy donkeys (14?μg/kg) did not result in elevations of serum cTnI concentration, signs of digoxin intoxication, ECG abnormalities and did not increase serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine.