Magnesium - Hypomagnesaemia
Causes
The most common causes for patients seen in the ED are malnutrition, malabsorption and alcoholism, alone or in combination. Pancreatitis and insulin administration along with renal failure, (acute tubular necrosis) and renal active drugs (diuretics, aminoglycosides) make up the rest.
Signs and Symptoms
CVS:
tachydysrhythmias (VT, torsades de pointes)
prolonged QT
Metabolic:
hypocalcaemia
hypokalaemia
Neurological:
tetany
seizures
Management
Mild to moderate <0.7mg/dL and asymptomatic:
Oral magnesium supplements
Find and treat cause
Seek and treat other electrolytes disturbances
Severe <0.7mg/dL:
IV Mg 2.5g (10mmol) over 20-30 mins
Find and treat cause