DIGITALIS AND BAROREFLEXES IN HEART-FAILURE

A physiologic hallmark of heart failure is neurohumoral excitation, due in large part to abnormalities in baroreflex control of the circulation. New experimental and clinical evidence suggests that digitalis glycosides, long considered important inotropic agents in the management of heart failure, also have important autonomic actions and may play a major role as neural sensitizing agents in this clinical disorder.