Magnesium research : official organ of the International Society for the Development of Research on Magnesium
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Does post-cardiac surgery magnesium supplementation improve outcome?
Hypomagnesemia has been linked with increased morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Since the condition is common after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, the objective of this study was to determine whether magnesium supplementation in the immediate postoperative period may improve outcomes of patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in a third-level, cardiac surgery intensive care unit (ICU) at a university hospital. ⋯ Hypomagnesemia was present in 12% of patients on admission to the intensive care unit. The magnesium group had a greater need for pacemaker stimulation. In conclusion, under the conditions of the present study, magnesium supplementation after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass does not favourably affect clinical outcomes.