The role of magnesium sulphate in the control of catecholamine induced cardiovascular disturbances

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the value in clinical situations of the well known in vitro anti-adrenergic effects of magnesium. Research interest in magnesium has been growing rapidly over the last twenty years. However, most of this interest has focused on the clinical consequences of magnesium deficiency states and little attention has been given to magnesium as a therapeutic agent. Despite the wide use of infusions of magnesium sulphate in obstetric practice, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the actions of magnesium on a cardiovascular system. In laboratory studies, magnesium was shown to inhibit the release of catecholamines from adrenergic nerve terminals, an action which might have great clinical implications.