MAGNESIUM AND HEART

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 31  (5) , 401-409
Abstract
Mg is a most important cation in the body, distributed in the skeleton, muscles and liver. The most important causes of Mg deficiency in the body include a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders, diuretic therapy, endocrine disorders, renal disease and alcoholism. The demonstration of hypomagnesemia in patients of digitalis toxicity was of great clinical significance since Mg can be replaced among these patients and toxicity and mortality due to this drug can be minimized. In patients with low serum Mg, the cellular content of this ion may be normal. It was of great interest to study the myocardial level of this ion in cardiovascular diseases. The clinical features of Mg deficit were related to neuromuscular disorders. ST and T waves changes were commonly seen in the ECG and cardiac arrhythmias were rarely described. Mg administration caused hypotension, bradycardia and conduction defects. Mg depressed the CNS, neuromuscular transmission and conductivity of the heart. Mg therapy was indicated when clinical features of Mg deficiency were persent in association with low serum or tissue levels.

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