Digoxin-like immunoreactive substance: monoclonal and polyclonal RIA and FPIA compared

Endogenous glycosides in critically ill patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of critically ill patients displaying endogenous digitalis-like-immunoreactive substances (DLIS) and to examine the relationship of these hormones to routine laboratory variables, the underlying disease, myocardial function, hemodynamic status, severity of illness, systemic inflammation, and mortality rate.

DESIGN

Sera of 401 consecutive critically ill patients, not treated with cardiac glycosides, were analyzed for DLIS (digitoxin and digoxin, TDx; Abbott Diagnostics, North Chicago, IL) and endogenous ouabain. Normal values of endogenous ouabain were determined in 62 healthy volunteers. We measured pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators (L-selectin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, interleukin-10), C-reactive protein, and serum amyloid A protein as well as patients' Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II and Goris scores. In a subgroup of patients with a pulmonary artery catheter (n = 95), we determined cardiac output, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance, left ventricular stroke volume, and right and left stroke work.

SETTING

Two surgical intensive care units of an university hospital.

SUBJECTS

Sera of 401 consecutive critically ill patients.

INTERVENTIONS

Blood sampling.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Of the 401 patients tested, 343 had nonmeasurable DLIS concentrations (DLIS-negative), and 58 (14.5%) had positive digoxin (n = 18) or digitoxin (n = 34) concentrations (DLIS-positive) or were positive in both tests (n = 6). Mean endogenous ouabain concentrations were nine-fold increased in DLIS-positive (3.59 +/- 1.43 nmol/L) and three-fold increased in DLIS-negative (1.34 +/-.81 nmol/L) patients compared with controls (0.38 +/- 0.31 nmol/L). DLIS and ouabain concentrations closely correlated with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II and Goris score and were associated with increased concentrations of transaminases, bilirubin, aldosterone, cortisol, serum creatinine, fractional sodium excretion, proinflammatory mediators, C-reactive protein, and serum amyloid A (p <or=.009). The hospital mortality rates of DLIS-positive and DLIS-negative patients were 12% and 3.2%, respectively, and for patients with ouabain concentrations above and below 2 nmol/L 38.6% and 0.6%, respectively. In DLIS-positive patients with pulmonary artery catheter (n = 23), cardiac output, stroke volume, and left ventricular stroke work were decreased, and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure and central venous pressure were increased (p <or=.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Different types of endogenous glycosides including endogenous ouabain are elevated in a significant proportion of critically ill patients. The occurrence of these substances is associated with increased morbidity and hospital mortality rates, possibly due to systemic inflammatory processes. DLIS but not endogenous ouabain concentrations were found to be related to left ventricular function.

Digoxin Assays: Frequent, Substantial, and Potentially Dangerous Interference by Spironolactone, Canrenone, and Other Steroids

Background: A case of digoxin toxicity resulted from falsely low values with the MEIA II assay for digoxin (AxSYM®; Abbott). The low results were caused by negative interference from canrenone and spironolactone, the latter of which has recently been advocated for the treatment of severe heart failure. Analytical interference from spironolactone has been reported, but little information is available for this effect with newer digoxin assays.

Methods: We examined nine assays (AxSYM, IMx®, TDx®, Emit®, Dimension®, aca®, TinaQuant®, Elecsys®, and Vitros®) for interference by spironolactone, canrenone, and three metabolites. Additionally, all routine digoxin measurements (AxSYM) over a period of 16.5 months (n = 3089) were monitored for interference.

Results: Suppression of the expected values by canrenone (3125 μg/L) was observed for the AxSYM (42% of expected value), IMx (51%), and Dimension (78%) assays. A positive bias was observed for the aca (0.7 μg/L), the TDx (0.62 μg/L), and the Elecsys (&gt;0.58 μg/L). Twenty-five of 669 routinely monitored patients had falsely low results. Nineteen of these had potentially toxic concentrations of digoxin (Emit; &gt;2.0 μg/L), although the AxSYM assay indicated therapeutic or less severe toxic concentrations (Δmax = 7.1 μg/L). Except for two unresolved cases, this was attributable to spironolactone, canrenone, hydrocortisone, or prednisolone. Standard doses of spironolactone (up to 50 mg/day) in patients with heart failure displayed inhibition &lt;11%.

Conclusions: The frequency and magnitude of the false-negative results particularly compromise the use of both microparticle enzyme immunoassays. Not only may toxic concentrations remain unidentified, but intoxication could occur should dosage be increased because of falsely low results. With 11 million digoxin tests/year ordered in the US, conceivably many patients could be adversely affected.