Study of serum magnesium levels in elderly with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

BACKGROUND Despite a significant reduction in the overall age adjusted mortality rates due to cardiovascular diseases in the last 2-3 decades, acute myocardial infarction continues to be the leading cause of mortality especially in people older than 65 years. The aim of this study is to explore the status of serum magnesium among elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as a means to monitor the possibility of complications and outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional prospective study carried out in 100 patients aged 60 years and more, admitted in our hospital ICCU with a diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction (MI). History collection, clinical examination, ECG, echocardiography, laboratory investigations were performed as a part of work up and all the patients were treated accordingly. The risk factors for MI were also recorded. The patients were followed up for 5 days of in-hospital stay, and were observed for development of complications and the outcome during discharge. Serum magnesium was estimated by Calmagite method and was correlated with site of lesion and occurrence of the complications. RESULTS 66% of patients were aged between 60-69 years age group, with a male predominance of 56%. The most common addictive habit was smoking in 14% of patients followed by tobacco chewing in 13% of patients. The most common presentation was typical chest pain in 66% of patients and the 34% patients had atypical presentation. Acute MI with ST segment elevation was present in 69% of patients. Inferolateral wall hypokinesia was the commonest type seen on echocardiography. The mean serum magnesium levels in our study group was 2.0 mg/dl. The complications were higher in hypomagnesemia group (10%), followed by normomagnesemia group (8%) and least with hypermagnesemia (2%). The overall mortality was higher with high serum magnesium levels, which makes it 50% of total mortality. CONCLUSION Hypomagnesemia is a risk factor for coronary events and its complications in elderly population.