S M Horner1. 1. Department of Cardiology, Middlesex Hospital, London, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To ascertain the effect of the intravenous administration of magnesium in acute myocardial infarction on the frequency of arrhythmias and mortality, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 930 patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to primary referral hospitals. Administration of magnesium in acute myocardial infarction was associated with a 49% reduction in ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. The incidence of cardiac arrest was reduced by 58%. The frequency of supraventricular tachycardias was also lower. Overall, there was a 54% reduction in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous magnesium is a safe and effective method of reducing the frequency of arrhythmias and mortality in acute myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND: To ascertain the effect of the intravenous administration of magnesium in acute myocardial infarction on the frequency of arrhythmias and mortality, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 930 patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to primary referral hospitals. Administration of magnesium in acute myocardial infarction was associated with a 49% reduction in ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. The incidence of cardiac arrest was reduced by 58%. The frequency of supraventricular tachycardias was also lower. Overall, there was a 54% reduction in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous magnesium is a safe and effective method of reducing the frequency of arrhythmias and mortality in acute myocardial infarction.
Authors: S Dittrich; J Germanakis; I Dähnert; B Stiller; H Dittrich; M Vogel; P E Lange Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2003-05-28 Impact factor: 17.440