Hippokratia 2006, 10(4):147-152
G Efstratiadis, M Sarigianni, I Gougourelas
Reanl Dpt, Hippokratio Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
2nd Internal Medicine Dpt, Hippokratio Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
Abstract
Magnesium depletion in clinical practice is mainly related to loop diuretics and thiazides. Among patients treated with diuretics more than 1/3 exhibit hypomagnesemia. Arrhythmias and sudden death attributed to magnesium depletion could be prevented by Mg administration. Magnesium deficiency in experimental animals promotes atherosclerotic lesions whereas this ion is involved in various stages of myocardial damage after experimental coronary artery occlusion. In humans magnesium administration in the first 24 hours of myocardial infarction was related to beneficial effects in first year mortality rate. Nevertheless more evidence from clinical investigation is needed for permanent conclusions.
Keywords: hypomagnesemia, magnesium, electrolyte disorders, arrhythmia, sudden death, coronary heart disease
Correspoding author: Efstratiadis G, Ethnikis Amynis 14, Thessaloniki 54621, Greece