Shah P, Pellicori P, Hanning I, et al. - In patients suffering from chronic heart failure (CHF), digoxin use was associated with greater rate of decline in renal function.

• A study of 1,241 patients with CHF (average age 72 years) who were split into four groups: never on digoxin (n = 394); digoxin throughout (n = 449); initiated digoxin at some point after baseline (n = 367); and stopped digoxin at some point after baseline (n = 31).

• A significantly greater rate of decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) per year was observed in those taking digoxin throughout vs those not on digoxin throughout.

• No significant difference in eGFR decline rate was seen in patients who started digoxin during follow up.

• No correlation existed between baseline eGFR (or rate of decline in eGFR) and age, hemoglobin or NTproBNP.

• A numerically faster rate of decline in eGFR, albeit not statistically significant, was seen in those who were not taking an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blockers or beta-blocker.