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Hypomagnesemia is common following cardiac surgery
L S Aglio1, G G Stanford, R Maddi
1Department of Anesthesia, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114.
Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia
|June 1, 1991
Summary
Cardiac surgery significantly increases the risk of hypomagnesemia, a condition of low serum magnesium. This postoperative low magnesium is linked to increased atrial dysrhythmias and prolonged mechanical ventilation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Anesthesiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Hypomagnesemia is prevalent in noncardiac surgery patients postoperatively.
- The impact of cardiac surgery on serum magnesium levels is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cardiac surgery and hypomagnesemia.
- To determine the incidence of hypomagnesemia following coronary artery revascularization and valve replacement procedures.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 101 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
- Serum magnesium levels (ultrafilterable, total) were measured pre-anesthesia, pre-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), post-CPB, and on postoperative day 1.
- Clinical biochemical data and outcome variables, including atrial dysrhythmias and mechanical ventilation duration, were collected.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of hypomagnesemia increased from 18.2% pre-induction to 71.0% immediately after CPB (P < 0.05).
- Postoperative hypomagnesemia was significantly associated with a higher incidence of atrial dysrhythmias (31.0% vs 10.3%, P < 0.05).
- Patients with hypomagnesemia required longer mechanical ventilatory support (34.9% vs 12.1%, P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Hypomagnesemia is a common complication following cardiac surgery involving CPB.
- Postoperative hypomagnesemia is linked to increased morbidity, including cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory complications.