Studies with Tritiated Digoxin in Renal Failure and Diabetes Mellitus

(1) In renal failure the clearance of digoxin was markedly impaired. The blood level in this group remained high for a long time, urinary excretion was much decreased and fecal excretion was increased. This observation shows that the kidney is the major organ for excretion of digoxin in normal subjects. (2) Blood dialysis and peritoneal lavage had little effect on removal of digoxin from blood. (3) In diabetes mellitus where moderate disturbance of digoxin clearance is observed the diabetic state or the usage of anti-diabetic drugs had no influence on clearance of digoxin. The degree of impaired renal function was clearly recognized as a factor of the clearance of digoxin.