Magnesium infusion in decompensated hypomagnesemic patients.

Five patients with severe cardiac decompensation, NYHA classes III and IV, and with hypomagnesemia were given 25 mmol magnesium sulphate i.v. daily for a week. Biochemical parameters were followed as shown in Table 2. The slight decrease in serum calcium, urate and blood glucose observed indicates that magnesium deficiency may be a contributing factor for the development of side effects often seen during treatment with diuretics. Leg cramps in one patient improved after the magnesium infusion.