title: Hypomagnesaemia in elderly digitalised patients.
abstract: Hypomagnesaemia and hypokalaemia are known to predispose to digoxin toxicity. Elderly patients receiving diuretics may be at special risk. A 12-month survey of all patients receiving digoxin at the time of admission to our Geriatric Assessment Unit revealed 16% were hypomagnesaemic, whereas no patient was hypokalaemic. There is a need for greater awareness of the risk of magnesium depletion in elderly patients receiving concurrent diuretic and digoxin therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Lightburn Hospital, Glasgow.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: McAlpine
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Devine
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004077:Digoxin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004232:Diuretics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics; D004077:Digoxin; D012964:Sodium; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium