The Case for Intravenous Magnesium Treatment of Arterial Disease in General Practice: Review of 34 Years of Experience

Abstract

Magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄) in a 50% solution was injected initially intramuscularly and later intravenously into patients with peripheral vascular disease (including gangrene, claudication, leg ulcers and thrombophlebitis), angina, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), non-haemorrhagic cerebral vascular disease and congestive cardiac failure. A powerful vasodilator effect with marked flushing was noted after intravenous (IV) injection of 4–12 mmol of magnesium (Mg) and excellent therapeutic results were noted in all forms of arterial disease. This technique of rapidly securing very high initial blood levels of MgSO₄ produces results in arterial disease which cannot be equalled by oral vasodilators or intramuscular (IM) or IV infusion therapy. It is suggested that the most important action of MgSO₄ in AMI is to open up collateral circulation and relieve ischaemia thus reducing infarct size and mortality rates. Prophylactic use of MgSO₄ and its effect on serum lipid, fibrinogen, urea and creatinine levels are discussed.

Key Words:

• intravenous magnesium sulphate injections
• angina
• acute myocardial infarction
• non-haemorrhagic cerebral vascular disease
• claudication
• serum lipids
• fibrinogen
• congestive cardiac failure
• early renal failure