Cardiac glycosides are indicated for which condition?

Cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin, are primarily indicated for the management of heart conditions, specifically heart failure and certain types of arrhythmias, notably atrial fibrillation. In atrial fibrillation, the goal of using cardiac glycosides is to improve heart function and control the ventricular rate by increasing the force of myocardial contraction and slowing down the conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node. This improves cardiac output and can help alleviate symptoms associated with the rapid heart rate seen in atrial fibrillation.

The other conditions listed do not have a direct indication for the use of cardiac glycosides. Hypertension, for instance, is typically treated with antihypertensives such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or calcium channel blockers. Kidney stones are managed through hydration and pain relief rather than cardiac glycosides. Hyperkalemia involves high potassium levels in the blood, and while digoxin can have implications in this condition, it is not used to treat hyperkalemia itself; instead, treatments for hyperkalemia focus on lowering potassium levels through other medications or interventions. Thus, the use of cardiac glycosides is specifically applicable to atrial fibrillation among the options presented.