Magnesium adjunctive therapy in atrial arrhythmias

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2013 Oct;36(10):1308-18. doi: 10.1111/pace.12189. Epub 2013 Jun 3.

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg) is an important intracellular ion with cardiac metabolism and electrophysiologic properties. A large percentage of patients with arrhythmias have an intracellular Mg deficiency, which is out of line with serum Mg concentrations, and this may explain the rationale for Mg's benefits as an atrial antiarrhythmic agent. A current limitation of antiarrhythmic therapy is that the potential for cardiac risk offsets some of the benefits of therapy. Mg enhances the balance of benefits to harms by enhancing atrial antiarrhythmic efficacy and reducing antiarrhythmic proarrhythmia potential as well as providing direct antiarrhythmic efficacy when used as monotherapy in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery.

Keywords: adjunctive; atrial fibrillation; magnesium.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy*
  • Cardiotonic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / methods
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Evidence-Based Medicine*
  • Humans
  • Magnesium / administration & dosage*
  • Tachycardia, Ectopic Atrial / drug therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Cardiotonic Agents
  • Magnesium