Lower serum magnesium is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and mortality in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND

Hypomagnesaemia is a cardiovascular (CV) risk factor in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pre-dialysis magnesium (Mg) and CV risk markers, [including pulse pressure (PP), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and vascular calcifications (VC)], and mortality in haemodialysis (HD) patients.

METHODS

We performed a 48-month prospective study in 206 patients under pre-dilution haemodiafiltration with a dialysate Mg concentration of 1 mmol/l.

RESULTS

Lower Mg concentrations were predictors of an increased PP (≥65 mm Hg) (p = 0.002) and LVMI (≥140 g/m(2)) (p = 0.03) and of a higher VC score (≥3) (p = 0.01). Patients with Mg <1.15 mmol/l had a lower survival at the end of the study (p = 0.01). Serum Mg <1.15 mmol/l was an independent predictor of all-cause (p = 0.01) and CV mortality (p = 0.02) when adjusted for multiple CV risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower Mg levels seem to be associated with increased CV risk markers, like PP, LVMI and VC, and with higher mortality in HD patients.