Serum and erythrocyte magnesium levels in patients with myocardial infarction with or without heart failure

ABSTRACT

Magnesium [Mg] is a mineral that is involved in over 300 reactions in the body. Magnesium is a potent vasodilation, and plays an important role in muscle contraction. It has been early documented that Mg deficiency can precipitate ventricular arrhythmias and treatment with Mg has some anti arrythmic effect. Moreover there is an ample evidence that a significant percentage of patients with IHD suffer from Mg deficiency. The objective of the present study is to measure Mg levels in serum and RBCs of patients with some forms of IHD. The study was conducted in Baghdad hospital and Ibn - Al-Bitar Hospital. The 180 patients with IHD were divided into Two groups. Group one, 80 patients with Ischemic Heart Failure [IHF] [EF<30] aged 65.75 +/- 5.97 year [50 males and 30 females], group two, 100 patients with Muocardial Infarction [MI][EF<50] aged 50.34 +/- 6.36 year [58 males and 42 females]. Serum Mg and RBCs Mg were measured in all patient groups by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The [mean +/- SD] value of serum and RBCs Mg in patients with both groups Ischemic Heart Disease [IHD] was significantly lower when compared with that of controls [p<0.05].The serum Mg levels [0.81 +/- SD mmol/L] are significantly lower in the IHF group and in MI group [0.96 +/- 0.18 mmol/L] when compared with that of controls [1.00 +/- 0.17 mmol/L] [p<0.001]. The data obtained in present study revealed the decrease of Mg level in serum and RBCs in both patients groups, which affect the contractility of heart muscle and cardiac performance.