Magnesium in Anesthesia and Intensive Care

Magnesium is an essential mineral that is needed for a broad variety of physiological functions. The usual daily magnesium uptake with diet is necessary to establish high normal serum magnesium concentrations that are protective against various diseases. Changes in magnesium homeostasis mainly concern the extracellular space, as the intracellular magnesium concentration is well regulated and conserved. The extracellular magnesium concentration is primarily regulated by the kidney, the mechanisms of this regulation have been elucidated recently. Magnesium has many known indications in anesthesiology and intensive care. Because of its interactions with drugs used in anesthesia, anesthesiologists and intensive care, specialists need to have a clear understanding of the role of this important cation. This essay discusses the role of magnesium in the body, disorders of magnesium and its clinical uses in anesthesia and intensive care practice.