Hypermagnesemia in critically ill patients with cancer: A case report

Hypermagnesemia is often an under reported finding in critically ill patients with cancer. Hypomagnesemia is a commonly encountered electrolyte abnormality in patients with cancer that is primarily caused by a reduced intake, secondary to chemotherapeutic drugs and malnutrition. Hypermagnesemia is rarely observed in patients with normal renal function, as excess intake can be compensated by renal excretion. However, in critically ill patients with reduced renal function, hypermagnesemia can add further to complications and increase mortality. Drugs such as lactulose, antacids, fentanyl and peptide hormones, including vasopressin, can further increase chances of hypermagnesemia, particularly when patients demonstrate decreased renal function and multiple organ failure. Prudence and caution must therefore be exercised while using these agents in critically ill patients with cancer to avoid increased complications and mortality. Herein, the current study reports three cases of critically ill patients with cancer admitted into intensive care who had refractory hypermagnesemia.