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[Magnesium in serum of patients with coronary heart disease (author's transl)]
Insights
Low serum magnesium is linked to reduced left ventricular function in patients with coronary heart disease. This finding may explain the higher risk of sudden cardiac death in these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of mortality.
- Serum magnesium levels have been investigated for their role in cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum magnesium concentration and coronary heart disease.
- To determine if serum magnesium levels correlate with left ventricular function in CHD patients.
Main Methods:
- Serum magnesium levels were measured in 76 patients with angiographically proven CHD and 34 controls.
- Coronary angiographic findings, left ventricular function (ejection fraction), and risk factors were assessed.
- Serum magnesium values were compared between groups and correlated with clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- Patients with CHD had significantly lower serum magnesium levels than controls (P < 0.002).
- Low serum magnesium was primarily observed in CHD patients with reduced left ventricular function (ejection fraction ≤ 55%) (P < 0.001).
- CHD patients with normal left ventricular function did not show significantly different magnesium levels compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Reduced serum magnesium concentration in coronary heart disease is predominantly associated with impaired left ventricular function.
- Low serum magnesium in CHD patients with diminished ventricular function may contribute to the increased incidence of sudden cardiac death.
Abstract:
In 76 patients with angiographically proven coronary heart disease and in 34 without angiographically demonstrable changes in the coronary vessels, magnesium concentration in serum was measured. The results were compared with the coronary angiographic findings, the left ventricular pump function and the known risk factors. The patients with coronary disease had on average lower magnesium values in serum than the control group (0.835 +/- 0.075 compared with 0.89 +/- 0.08 mmol/l, P less than 0.002). Separation of the coronary patients according to ventricular function showed that only patients with reduced left ventricular function (ejection fraction less than or equal to 55%) had low serum magnesium concentrations when compared with the control group (0.79 +/- 0.075 compared with 0.89 +/- 0.08 mmol/l, P less than 0.001). Patients with coronary disease and normal left ventricular function (ejection fraction greater than 55%) did not differ significantly in their magnesium concentration from the normal controls. The results show that in patients with coronary heart disease lowered serum magnesium concentrations are generally only found when left ventricular function is reduced. The high incidence of sudden cardiac death could be connected with the increased occurrence of low magnesium values in serum of patients with coronary heart disease and diminished ventricular function.