Drug of choice for Digoxin induced Ventricular Tachycardia:-
## **Core Concept**
Digoxin-induced ventricular tachycardia is a life-threatening arrhythmia that requires immediate treatment. It occurs due to digitalis toxicity, which can be caused by excessive levels of digoxin in the body. The management involves stopping the digoxin and administering specific antidotes or anti-arrhythmic drugs.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, **Lidocaine**, is the drug of choice for treating digoxin-induced ventricular tachycardia. Lidocaine is a class Ib anti-arrhythmic drug that works by blocking sodium channels, which helps in stabilizing the cardiac membrane and reducing the automaticity of the ventricular muscles. Unlike other anti-arrhythmic drugs, lidocaine does not significantly affect the atrioventricular (AV) node or the cardiac contractility, making it particularly useful in this context. Additionally, lidocaine is effective in treating ventricular arrhythmias without depressing myocardial contractility.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** Atropine is used to treat bradycardia and AV block caused by digoxin toxicity, not ventricular tachycardia.
- **Option B:** Propranolol, a beta-blocker, can worsen heart failure and is not used to treat ventricular tachycardia caused by digoxin toxicity.
- **Option D:** Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, can also worsen heart failure and is not indicated for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that for digoxin-induced ventricular arrhythmias, **Lidocaine** is the preferred treatment. Also, it's crucial to check and correct potassium levels and consider administering digoxin-specific antibody (Fab) fragments if the toxicity is severe.
## **Correct Answer:** . Lidocaine