Effects of Magnesium Replacement Therapy in Patients with Chronic Stable Heart Failure and Normal Magnesium Level

Abstract

Objectives: In the present study, we sought to assess the changes in functional, biochemical, and echocardiographic measurements of heart failure (HF) during a 12-week Mg2+ supplementation in chronic stable HF patients. Methods: Twenty patients with clinically stable New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I–III systolic HF (echocardiography-derived left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] of <40%) and normal magnesium level (1.5–2 mg/dl) were recruited consecutively in this before and after study. The patients received oral Mg2+ (400 mg MgO b.i.d., for a total of 482.6 mg of elemental Mg2+) for a total of 12 weeks. Results: Twenty patients, including 10 (50%) men, with a mean ± standard deviation age of 53 ± 15 years were included. The 6-min walk distance significantly increased from 379 (348–440) m to 583 (506–604) m. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein significantly decreased from 12 (7–14) to 3 (2–4) mg/dL (P < 0.001). N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide also declined from 653 (415–2660.75) to 189.5 (82.5–537.75) ng/dL (P < 0.001). The LVEF and systolic pulmonary artery pressure significantly improved (both P < 0.001). Conclusion: We demonstrated beneficial effects of Mg2+ supplementation in patients with normal magnesium level. We suggest routine Mg2+ supplementation to all HF patients with low-to-normal Mg2+ levels and normal kidney function.

Keywords

• Heart failure
• magnesium
• pro-brain natriuretic peptide