Korean J Anesthesiol.  2011 Sep;61(3):210-215. 10.4097/kjae.2011.61.3.210.

The effects of magnesium on the course of atrial fibrillation and coagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing mitral valve annuloplasty

• Kang WS
• Yun HJ
• Han SJ
• Kim HY
• Kim DK
• Lim JA
• Woo NS
• Kim SH

• KMID: 2031309
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2011.61.3.210

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Magnesium has been reported to be effective in reducing the incidence or prophylaxis of AF. Magnesium is also an essential constituent of many enzyme systems and plays a physiological role in coagulation regulation. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of magnesium, whether magnesium infusion might decrease the incidence of AF and induce hypocoagulable state in patients with AF, who were undergoing mitral valve annuloplasty.
METHODS
This prospective laboratory study was performed using blood from patients with AF undergoing mitral valve annuloplasty. The radial artery was punctured with a 20 gauge catheter and used for monitoring continuous arterial pressure and blood sampling. After anesthesia induction, 4 g of magnesium was mixed with 100 ml normal saline and infused for 5 minutes. Magnesium, calcium, activated clotting time (ACT) and thromboelastographic parameters were checked before and 60 minutes after the magnesium infusion. The electrocardiography changes after magnesium infusion were also checked before commencing cardiopulmonary bypass.
RESULTS
After magnesium infusion, the serum level of magnesium increased significantly but serum calcium did not change significantly. ACT did not change significantly before or after magnesium infusion. The thromboelastographic parameters showed no significant changes before or after magnesium infusion. None of the patients converted to sinus rhythm from AF after the magnesium infusion.
CONCLUSIONS
A magnesium infusion did not influence the course of AF and coagulation in patients during prebypass period with AF undergoing mitral valve annuloplasty.

Keyword

Atrial fibrillation; Magnesium; Mitral valve annuloplasty; Thromboelastography

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Arterial Pressure
Atrial Fibrillation
Calcium
Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Catheters
Electrocardiography
Humans
Incidence
Magnesium
Mitral Valve
Mitral Valve Annuloplasty
Prospective Studies
Radial Artery
Thrombelastography
Calcium
Magnesium