Serum and urinary magnesium during treatment of patient withs chronic congestive heart failure

Abstract

Electrolyte disturbances are common in patients w.th n gestive Heart Failure (CHF) especially during long"™ uZ' ments. Unlike potassium, little is known of how magnesium is affected in these patients. This study was earned out to determine the serum and urinary concentration ofmacnesium in patients with CHF who were treated with lisinopnl [An giotensin- Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI)l frusemido (diuretic) and digoxin, at baseline, 2 weeks and 4 wecks 45 patients (Group I; 24 male, 21 female; average age 49 7 vearsl with CHF, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class ll III were matched with 45 healthy controls (Group II- 24 male, 21 female, average age 49.3 years). Serum and urinary magnesium were assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was made by Student's t-test. At baseline, serum magnesium concentration in CHF patients was not significantly lower than in controls, p > 0.1. However, a higher loss of magnesium in urine was found in CHF patients compared with control subjects at baseline, p < 0.01 Serum magnesium concentration decreased significantly during treatment except in CHF patients on lisinopril, p < 0.05. The lowest excretion of magnesium was also found in this group of patients. Our study shows that lisinopril is magnesium-sparing in patients with CHF