A new study has found that AF patients who take digoxin for the first time showed an increased mortality rate when compared to non-digoxin patients. This information was reported at the American College of Cardiology 2013 Scientific Sessions.

While patients suffering from heart failure were excluded from the study, the patients with atrial fibrillation were found to double among the patients given digoxin. Another interesting finding was that patient hospitalizations were not affected by digoxin use. What this means is that the patients likely died at home, says the study’s lead author, Dr. James V. Freeman (Stanford University School of Medicine, Calif.). He also told heartwire that while there was no information about the patients’ causes of death, “ventricular arrhythmias are a hazard from digoxin toxicity.”

“So our hypothesis is that maybe [digoxin users] had an increase in arrhythmic death and sudden cardiac death,” he adds. “But there’s no way to know that for certain.”

AF is a condition that is characterized by patients experiencing irregular heartbeats or flutters. It is treated with various different methods including anticoagulant medications like Multaq. Multaq is made by Sanofi-Aventis and has been linked to serious side effects including a worsening of the heart condition, liver failure and lung toxicity. It is for this reason that the FDA has recommended that doctors only prescribe Multaq if all other medications fail to work. Anticoagulants are used to help prevent AF recurrences and stroke. Newer anticoagulants have been found to work better than Multaq, but digoxin is one of the oldest medications still being used today. With the newer medications proving to be extremely dangerous, this new study is proving that AF medications in general may pose more risk than benefits to the patients.

If you or a loved one has suffered from liver failure or a worsening heart condition after being treated with Multaq, contact the attorneys at Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Multaq lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your injuries.