Bronchodilating effect of intravenous magnesium sulfate in bronchial asthma

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Abstract
The bronchodilating effect of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) was studied in ten asthmatic patients with mild attacks. In five patients, 0.5 mmol/min of MgSO4was administered intravenously for 20 minutes, and the time courses of respiratory resistance, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume at 1 s were studied. In another five patients, MgSO4dose-response curves were obtained. Soon after administration began, MgSO4relieved bronchoconstriction in a dose-dependent manner. Maximum responses (mean ± SE) of respiratory resistance, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume were 71% ±3%, 117% ±5%, and 118%±1% of initial values, respectively, and were similar to the effects of additional albuterol inhalation. The infusion of MgSO4also improved dyspnea and piping rales in three other asthmatic patients with a severe attack. We conclude that intravenous infusion of MgSO4produces a rapid and marked bronchodilation in both mild and severe asthma and may be a unique bronchodilating agent. (JAMA1987;257:1076-1078)