Cardiac glycosides

Cardiac glycosides are a class of medications derived from plant sources, primarily used to enhance cardiac contractility and control heart rate in conditions like heart failure and atrial fibrillation. They work by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump, leading to increased intracellular calcium levels and improved myocardial performance. A key example is digoxin, which can cause toxicity, particularly in patients with renal impairment, necessitating careful monitoring of serum levels.