Magnesium: a versatile drug for anesthesiologists.

Author: Sang Hwan DO ¹
Author Information

1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. shdo@snu.ac.kr
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: Analgesia; Magnesium; Magnesium sulfate; Muscle relaxation
MeSH: Analgesia; Analgesics; Anesthesia; Anesthetics; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Asthma; Humans; Magnesium; Magnesium Sulfate; Muscle Relaxation; Pheochromocytoma; Pre-Eclampsia; Seizures
From:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology 2013;65(1):4-8
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: Magnesium sulfate has been used in preeclampsia patients in order to prevent seizure. It is also used for the treatment of arrhythmia and asthma and as an anesthetic adjunct in patients undergoing surgery for pheochromocytoma. However, its potentiating effects on perioperative analgesia and muscle relaxation have drawn attention recently. These characteristics of magnesium (anesthetic- and analgesic-sparing effect) enable anesthesiologists to reduce the use of anesthetics during surgery and the use of analgesics after surgery. Magnesium sulfate has a high therapeutic index and cost-effectiveness. Considering these diverse characteristics useful for anesthesia, appropriate use of magnesium sulfate would improve surgical outcome and patients' satisfaction.