title: Acute magnesium toxicity in an obstetric patient undergoing general anaesthesia for caesarean delivery.
abstract: Magnesium is commonly used in the prevention of eclampsia. Reports of acute toxicity are rare and we are not aware of detailed management algorithms. We present a case of acute magnesium toxicity presenting as ventilatory impairment and failure to rouse adequately from general anaesthesia. The patient was managed with controlled ventilation, further sedation, intravenous calcium gluconate, forced diuresis and dextrose-insulin infusion. We present a guideline for the management of life-threatening magnesium toxicity and discuss measures that may prevent future similar occurrences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. nolan.mcdonnell@health.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: McDonnell
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Muchatuta
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Paech
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000465:Algorithms; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000379:methods*; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D008508:Medication Errors; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008278:Magnesium Sulfate