[Use of magnesium sulfate in anesthesiology]

The objective of this study was to evaluate usage possibilities of magnesium sulfate in anesthesiology.

In Clinic of Cardiac Surgery, Kaunas University of Medicine magnesium sulfate was started for use as an adjuvant to anesthetics. For anesthesia it was used in 20 cases. This review article presents the methodology based on which the magnesium sulfate anesthesia was given. Methodology was created using the data of international clinical trials. After anesthesia induction with thiopental (5 mg/kg) and fentanyl (2 mg/kg), patients were given shock-dose injection (30-50 mg/kg) of MgSO4; also continual infusion through syringe pump at 500 mg/h was given for total duration of 20 hours. The state of patients during anesthesia was evaluated based on hemodynamic readings: arterial blood pressure, heart rate and functional oxygen saturation in the arterial blood (SpO2).

Data on importance of magnesium sulfate for anesthesia is currently in process, however it was determined that when magnesium sulfate is used for anesthesia, the smaller doses of fentanyl and myorelaxants are needed. The last dose of fentanyl before the end of anesthesia is injected at the similar interval as in cases when magnesium is not used.

Even though the precise data is not available yet, we can conclude that when magnesium sulfate is used as an adjuvant for anesthesia, the reduced doses of painkiller medicines are needed and their action is strengthened. In addition, magnesium does not prolong the activity of painkiller substances.