Pharmacology · Cardiovascular Drugs (Antihypertensives, Anti-Anginals, Heart Failure, Anti-Arrhythmics)

Lidocaine is the drug of choice for acute treatment of which specific arrhythmia in the setting of digoxin toxicity?

  • A Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response
  • B Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (torsades de pointes)
  • C Ventricular tachycardia
  • D Supraventricular tachycardia
Correct answer: C. Ventricular tachycardia

Explanation

Lidocaine, a class IB antiarrhythmic, suppresses ventricular ectopy and VT in digoxin toxicity without worsening AV conduction. Torsades de pointes is treated with magnesium and overdrive pacing, not lidocaine. Digoxin-specific Fab fragments are the definitive antidote for life-threatening digoxin toxicity. AV nodal blocking agents worsen the bradyarrhythmias of digoxin toxicity.

Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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