What is the mechanism of action of Digoxin?

Digoxin primarily acts by increasing the force of heart muscle contraction, which is known as positive inotropy. This effect enhances the heart's ability to pump blood more efficiently, making it particularly useful in the treatment of heart failure and some types of arrhythmias. By increasing the intracellular calcium concentration in cardiac muscle cells, digoxin strengthens each contraction, leading to improved cardiac output.

Additionally, while digoxin does have effects that can result in a reduction in heart rate through its action on the vagus nerve and the atrioventricular (AV) node, its primary mechanism remains the enhancement of contraction strength. This attribute makes it a critical medication in managing conditions where improved myocardial performance is necessary. The other options, which include dilating blood vessels and inhibiting blood clotting, do not accurately describe the primary actions of digoxin. These functions are associated with different classes of medications used for various cardiovascular conditions.