Digox,
Lanoxin
Digitek
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Digoxin is one of the oldest heart medications still used today to treat heart failure and atrial fibrillation (AF). While effective, it must be used carefully because it has a narrow therapeutic range and interacts with many other drugs. Digoxin works by affecting how heart cells handle sodium and calcium. It blocks the sodium-potassium pump (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase), leading to more calcium inside the heart cells. This helps the heart contract more strongly (positive inotropic effect). At the same time, digoxin slows the heart rate and electrical conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node, which helps control the rhythm in AF. It also increases activity of the vagus nerve (a part of the parasympathetic nervous system), which slows the heart further. This happens by improving nerve signaling and the heart’s response to acetylcholine, a chemical that naturally lowers heart rate.
The quantitative determination of digoxin levels in serum or plasma is an essential diagnostic tool in both therapeutic monitoring and the evaluation of suspected toxicity. However, interpretation of serum digoxin levels must be contextualized within the broader clinical picture.
References
Crane AD, Militello M, Faulx MD. Digoxin is still useful, but is still causing toxicity. Cleve Clin J Med. 2024 Aug 1;91(8):489-499. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.91a.23105. PMID: 39089856.
Dodek A. The appropriate use of serum digoxin assay. Can Fam Physician. 1977 Oct;23:107-13. PMID: 21304851; PMCID: PMC2378778.
Ferrari F, Santander IRMF, Stein R. Digoxin in Atrial Fibrillation: An Old Topic Revisited. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2020;16(2):141-146. doi: 10.2174/1573403X15666190618110941. PMID: 31237216; PMCID: PMC7460705.
Statement on Medical Necessity
All ordered tests should be medically necessary for the diagnosis or detection of disease, illness, impairment, symptom, syndrome, or disorder and the results should be used in the medical management and treatment decisions for the patient. Solaris requires ICD-10 codes with each order for lab testing and both the tests ordered and the diagnosis should be documented in the provider’s medical record for the patient. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, takes the position that a provider who orders medically unnecessary tests may be subject to civil penalties.
Panels and Profiles
Solaris offers Providers the convenience of ordering test combinations in a group at times with the flexibility to choose appropriate test(s) for individual patients. Providers should only order those tests that he or she believes are medically necessary for each patient, and a lesser inclusive profile or individual tests should be ordered if not all tests in the test combination/profile are medically necessary. All tests offered in a test combination/profile may be ordered separately as individual tests. Solaris encourages clients to contact their Solaris representative if the testing configurations shown do not meet individual needs for any reason, or if some other combination of procedures is needed.
CPT Codes
CPT Codes listed are in accordance with Current Procedural Terminology, a publication of the American Medical Association. CPT codes are the responsibility of the billing party and are listed here for informational purposes. Correct coding may vary from one carrier to another. Solaris may bill specific carriers using codes other than what is shown.
For questions or inquiries related to testing please reach out to
customerservice@solarisdx.com or contact us by phone at (844) 550-0308.
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