Digoxin induced changes in the distribution of fast heart rate episodes during paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

This study investigated AF episodes with RR intervals shorter than a given limit (i.e. defibrillator waiting times) in 24-hour Holter tapes recorded during a cross-over trial of Placebo and Digoxin treatment of patients with paroxysmal AF. 25 tapes with AF episodes of at least 1000 ventricular cycles were selected (14 recorded on Placebo, and 11 on Digoxin). For each tape, the mean and maximum duration of AF episodes with all RR intervals700 ms. There were, however, strongly significant differences (p<10/sup -4/-10/sup -7/) between the maximum waiting times which were longer with Placebo.