My step dad was just admitted for AF and low blood pressure. My question is, why did they not give him digoxin iv along with oxygen and salene?

In answer to your question, Ann, many things have to be taken into consideration. First, I would like to say that I am not a Cardiologist and don't profess to be one. I am an RN and have been through this issue many times with my husband. When your step dad was admitted in AF, one has got to look at his age, previous history, his lab work, and most importantly, the rate of AF - in otherwards, his heart rate. Yes, his blood pressure is a consideration but how low actually was it? Supplemental oxygen is always a consideration (since it has little side effects) but, digitalis is a very old drug with many side effects if not supervised properly. The key here is to bring his heart rate under control (if it wasn't already)and to get anticoagulants on board to prevent a stroke. Many older people tolerate chronic AF very well as long as they are protected from throwing a clot and their rate is controlled. One cannot put a rubber stamp on every patient presenting with Atrial Fibrillation. If it is new onset AF, The Cardiologists might try and cardiovert them back to a normal sinus rhythm. Depending on the underlying conditions, this might work and it may not. Perhaps he didn't get an IV of saline, because he was already in CHF. (Congestive Heart Failure)and couldn't handle the extra fluids. Like I said, there is no one solution fits all patients. Everyone is an individual and should be handled as such. Thank you.

My guess would be that patients' insurance coverage didn't fully cover the drug therapies that may have proven the most beneficial to the patients. Medicine and medical care isn't free.

My guess would be that patients' insurance coverage didn't fully cover the drug therapies that may have proven the most beneficial to the patients. Medicine and medical care isn't free.

Joe, believe it or not, Doctors nor Nurses look at insurance coverage while a patient is in the hospital. We treat the patient to the best of our knowledge and leave the finances to others. No, medicine and medical care is not free but I strongly feel that most of us at least, treat the patient according to the individual and are not restricted by the insurance companies while hospitalized. Thank you.

I went in AF I also had few other problem breathing
bloating and edema too much water was being retain- ed in my body. I too received digoxin through IV but I was in a coma. I don't know if he was in one but my coma lasted 3 weeks and Doc's were playing god with my life less than 5% chance of living what could I do or say.

I agree with Jill's comment about every case being individual. As a cardiac nurse, I have seen patient who fit the "textbook" case and those who do not. I agree that there are times when everything is not done for these patients. However, I would like to see how these patients were doing. Were they doing well on there current therapy ?

I think the point is that standards must be in place as a guidleine in treating patients. However, each case must be treated as an individual. There are many factors that play into a patinet's overall care plan ---co-existing illness, reactions to drugs, the overall state of the patient's health, etc.

Patients need to be educated about what treatments are available and need to take an active role in asking their doctors about available therapies. Communication is the key to good health.