title: Multifocal atrial tachycardia responsive to parenteral magnesium.
abstract: Two groups of patients with multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT) were treated with the intramuscular and continuous intravenous magnesium sulphate regimens used in pre-eclampsia. Both routes of administration were successful in causing reversion to sinus rhythm but the intramuscular regimen, by attaining a higher and more sustained serum magnesium concentration, converted the arrhythmia to normal sinus rhythm in a shorter period of time (1-2 hours) than the intravenous regimen (4-8 hours). Magnesium-sparing diuretics should be used in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, which are both conditions associated with magnesium deficiency and MAT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine B, Techion--Israel Institute of Technology, Lady Davis Carmel Hospital, Haifa.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kitzes
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shnaider
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007700:Kinetics; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D008274:Magnesium