Serum Magnesium Levels in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Introduction: Magnesium has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute myocardial infarction and its complication like arrhythmia. Magnesium improves myocardial metabolism, inhibits calcium accumulation and myocardial cell death. It improves vascular tone, peripheral vascular resistance, after load and cardiac output, reduces cardiac arrhythmias and improves lipid metabolism. Magnesium also reduces vulnerability to oxygen derived free radicals, improves endothelial function and inhibits platelet function including platelet aggregation and adhesion. Objective: To know the relationship between the serum magnesium levels and arrhythmias in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Method: By using simple random method, 50 cases of acute myocardial infarction, admitted in Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital over a period of one year. Results: There is a significant difference in the magnesium levels in patients with arrhythmias and without arrhythmias. Conclusion: In acute myocardial infarction, patients with low magnesium levels are more prone to get arrhythmias. So magnesium treatment can be considered in patients of acute myocardial infarction with low magnesium levels.