PREVENTION OF ATRIAL TACHYARRHYTHMIAS AFTER NONCARDIAC THORACIC-SURGERY BY INFUSION OF MAGNESIUM-SULFATE

The possible role of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) infusion in the prevent ion of atrial tachyarrhythmias after non-cardiac thoracic surgery was evaluated through a prospective study of two hundred patients who unde rwent non-cardiac thoracic surgery. The patients (who fulfilled the fo llowing requirements among others: no myocardial infarction in the pre vious six months, normal renal function, no use of digitalis or antiar rhythmic drugs, not undergone emergency operations or video-assisted t horacic surgery), were randomly assigned to receive MgSO4 infusion in all circumstances (Mg group), or either no treatment or, if aged over 70 or in cases of pneumonectomy or an intrapericardial procedure, appl ication of digoxin starting on the day of operation (control group). 9 5 patients were enrolled in the Mg group and 105 in the control group. 93 patients in the Mg group and 101 in the control group were evaluat ed. Post-operative atrial tachyarrhythmias, mainly atrial fibrillation , occurred in 10 patients (10.7%) in the Mg group and in 27 (26.7%) pa tients in the control group (chi(2)=7.009, df=1, p=0.008). It is concl uded that infusion of MgSO4 is an effective means of reducing the inci dence of atrial tachyarrhythmias after non-cardiac thoracic surgery.