Magnesium supplementation: Pharmacokinetics in cardiac surgery patients with normal renal function

Abstract

Background: Intravenous magnesium is routinely administered in intensive care units (ICU) to treat arrhythmias after cardiothoracic surgery. There are no data on the pharmacokinetics of continuous magnesium infusion therapy. Objective: To investigate the pharmacokinetics of continuous magnesium infusion, focusing on serum and urinary magnesium concentration, volume of distribution and half-life. Methods: We administered a 10 mmol bolus of magnesium-sulfate followed by a continuous infusion of 3 mmol/h for 12 h in twenty cardiac surgery patients. We obtained blood and urine samples prior to magnesium administration and after one, six, and 12 h. Results: Median magnesium levels increased from ..