Immunologic Treatment of Digitalis Toxicity: A Tale of Two Prophecies
Authors: Vincent P. Butler, Thomas W. Smith
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

Editorials1 October 1986Immunologic Treatment of Digitalis Toxicity: A Tale of Two PropheciesVINCENT P. BUTLER JR., M.D., THOMAS W. SMITH, M.D.VINCENT P. BUTLER JR., M.D.Search for more papers by this author, THOMAS W. SMITH, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-105-4-613 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptIf inadvertently the doses of the Foxglove should be prescribed too largely, exhibited too rapidly, or urged to too great a length, the knowledge of a remedy to counteract its results would be a desirable thing. Such a remedy may perhaps in time be discovered.Withering, 1785 (1)It seemed not out of the question that non-antigenic poisons after combination with protein would call forth antibodies capable of neutralizing their toxic effect. This idea . . . would hold out hopes for practical application.Landsteiner, 1945 (2)WITH THE RECENTapproval by the Food and Drug Administration of the use...References1. WITHERING W. An Account of the Foxglove, and Some of Its Medical Uses: With Practical Remarks on Dropsy and Other Diseases. Birmingham, England: M. Swinney; 1785:187-8. Google Scholar2. LANDSTEINER K. The Specificity of Serological Reactions. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press; 1945:181. Google Scholar3. CHASE M. Preface. In: LANDSTEINER K. The Specificity of Serological Reactions. Rev. ed. New York: Dover Publications; 1962:vi. Google Scholar4. In memoriam: Karl Landsteiner (1868-1943). J Immunol. 1944;48:1-16. Google Scholar5. BUTLERCHEN VJ. Digoxin-specific antibodies. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1967;57:71-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. SMITH T. Use of antibodies in the study of the mechanism of action of digitalis. Ann NY Acad Sci. 1974;242:731-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. SMITHBUTLERHABER TVE. Cardiac glycoside-specific antibodies in the treatment of digitalis toxicity. In: HABER E, KRAUSE RM, eds. Antibodies in Human Diagnosis and Therapy. New York: Raven Press; 1977:365-89. Google Scholar8. BUTLERSMITHSCHMIDTHABER VTDE. Immunological reversal of the effects of digoxin. Fed Proc. 1977;36:2235-41. MedlineGoogle Scholar9. LLOYDSMITH BT. Contrasting rates of reversal of digoxin toxicity by digoxin-specific IgG and Fab fragments. Circulation. 1978;58:280-3. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. WENGERBUTLERHABERSMITH TVET. Treatment of 63 severely digitalis-toxic patients with digoxin-specific antibody fragments. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1985;5(5 suppl A):118A-23A. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: VINCENT P. BUTLERJR., M.D.; THOMAS W. SMITH, M.D.Affiliations: PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byCardiac glycosidesANTIDYSRHYTHMIC DRUGSCardiac glycosidesElectrocardiographic manifestations: Digitalis toxicityRecognition and management of digitalis toxicityDelayed Elimination of Digoxin Antidotum Determined by RadioimmunoassayPositive inotropic drugs and drugs used in dysrhythmias 1 October 1986Volume 105, Issue 4Page: 613-614KeywordsAntibodiesFood and Drug AdministrationProteinsToxicity ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 October 1986 PDF downloadLoading ...