MEDICATION-MAGNESIUM

1. Important membrane stabilizer. Hypomagnesemia causes myocardial hyper-excitability, particularly in the presence of hypokalemia.

2. Causes of hypomagnesemia: diuresis, diarrhea, alcohol-abuse.

3. Indications: Torsade's de pointes, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, VF or VT refractory to DC shock, cardiac arrest A/W digoxin-toxicity.

4. SE: muscle weakness, paralysis, respiratory failure.

DOSAGE

5. 5-10 mmol bolus, infusion of 20 mmol over 4 hours.