The Use of Magnesium Sulfate in the Treatment of Cardiac Arrhythmias

pp 75-80

Abstract

We have studied 41 patients (30 with supraventricular tachycardia and 11 with ventricular arrhythmia). The first group included 15 patients with atrial fibrilation, 4 with atrial flutter, 6 with reentrant supraventricular tachycardia (one with Wolff-Parkinson-White sindrome), and 4 with atrial tachycardia. In the second group were enrolled 10 patients with ventricular tachycardia (6 with monomorphus type and 4 with torsades des points), and one patient with ventricularpremature beats. Patients Wð"e given a single bolus of 3.75 g of intravenous magnesium sulfate without continuous infusion. Completa abolition of reentrant supraventricular tachycardia and atrial tachycardia was achieved immediately after the drug administration. Patients with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter showed a significant increase on A V block. Ventricular tachycarrhythmias were suppressed wit h magnesium sulfate therapy in the 90 % of the cases independently the basal conditions, electrolyte status and drug toxicity. Although the electro physiologic effects of magnesium are not clearly understood, its use seems to be effective in certain serious arrhythmias.