What is the recommended treatment for digoxin-induced arrhythmias?

The recommended treatment for digoxin-induced arrhythmias is atropine administered intravenously. Digoxin can lead to various arrhythmias, notably bradycardia and atrioventricular (AV) nodal blocks. Atropine serves to counteract the effects of digoxin on the vagus nerve, which can slow heart rate.

By blocking the action of acetylcholine at parasympathetic sites in smooth muscle and the central nervous system, atropine helps to increase heart rate and improve conduction through the AV node. This can be particularly effective in cases where digoxin toxicity has resulted in significant bradycardia or AV block.

The other treatment options may not address the specific problem presented by digoxin-induced arrhythmias. For example, while amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic that can be useful in treating certain types of arrhythmias, it does not specifically counteract the effects of digoxin. Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers could potentially exacerbate the bradycardia caused by digoxin and are not the first-line treatment in this particular scenario.