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Does magnesium prophylaxis reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation following coronary bypass surgery?

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Freeman Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7AZ, UK

*Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 7801548122. E-mail address: joeldunning{at}doctors.org.uk (J. Dunning).

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether prophylactic magnesium reduces the incidence of atrial fibrillation post cardiac surgery. Altogether 113 papers were found using the reported search, of which 21 represented the best evidence on this topic. The author, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses were tabulated. We conclude that prophylactic magnesium reduces the incidence of arrhythmias post cardiac surgery with a number needed to treat of only 13 to prevent an episode of supraventricular arrhythmia.

Key Words: Magnesium; Thoracic surgery; Prophylactic drug therapy; Arrhythmias; Review

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