Hypermagnesemia

Background

  • High >3.5
  • Magnesium is an effective calcium channel blocker both extracellularly and intracellularly[1]
  • Intracellular magnesium profoundly blocks several cardiac potassium channels

Clinical Features

Mg Level Signs/Symptoms
2-3 Nausea
3-4 Somnolence
4-8 Loss of DTRs, muscle weakness
8-12 Respiratory depression
12-15 Hypotension, heart block, Cardiac Arrest, death

Differential Diagnosis

Evaluation

  • Magnesium level >3.5

Management

Disposition

See Also

References

  1. Rizzo MA, Fisher M, Lock JP. Hypermagnesemic pseudocoma. Arch Intern Med. 1993;153(9):1130.
  2. Schelling Fatal hypermagnesemia. JR1. Clin Nephrol. 2000 Jan;53(1):61-5.