[Clinical aspects of magnesium].

Magnesium is the second most important intracellular cation after potassium in the human cell. Its pathologic and therapeutic role is well established in a large number of chronic conditions as vascular heart diseases, arrhythmias, hypertension, nephrolithiasis, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, as well as in liver and pancreatic diseases. A broad spectrum of different clinical aspects and need of supplementation of magnesium is reviewed by the authors. Since suitable preparations are not available in the market the substitution of magnesium can cause difficulties in the practice.