A study to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous Magnesium Sulphate administration on lactate clearance in critically ill patients

Background: Magnesium (Mg) is crucial for normal mitochondrial function in human body. It functions as an important cofactor for numerous biological reactions involving ATP-generating enzymes such as mitochondrial ATP synthase and Na+/K+ ATPase. Method: This prospective, randomized, interventional study involving two groups of critically ill patients in ICU with hypomagnesaemia. One group received intravenous administration of magnesium sulphate while the second group received intravenous administration of placebo. Results: Comparison of serum lactate levels between cases and controls (n = 84) was statistically insignificant. Lactate clearance between cases and controls was comparable. Comparison of arterial blood gases between cases and controls was found to be statistically insignificant. Comparison of biochemical parameters between cases and controls. Hospital stay duration of cases and controls was found to be comparable. Mortality between cases and controls was comparable. Conclusion: There was a significant proportion of critically ill patients with serum hypomagnesemia however intravenous magnesium sulphate administration did not significantly affect the lactate clearance, the days on mechanical ventilation, duration of ICU stay or the mortality.