Digoxin is primarily used for what purpose in patients with Atrial Fibrillation?

Digoxin is primarily used in patients with atrial fibrillation to slow down the heart rate. In atrial fibrillation, the heart beats irregularly and often at a rapid pace due to disorganized electrical signals. Digoxin helps to control this situation by increasing the efficiency of the heart's contractions and providing better regulation of the heart rate. It acts by enhancing vagal tone and reducing conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node, thereby allowing the heart to maintain a slower and more manageable rhythm.

This is particularly important because a rapid heart rate can lead to symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, or even heart failure if sustained over time. While digoxin does have an indirect role in preventing complications such as blood clots by improving heart function, its primary purpose in the context of atrial fibrillation is heart rate control. Other choices, such as reducing blood pressure or managing cholesterol levels, are not the primary functions of digoxin in this setting.