Role of magnesium in cardiac emergencies?

• A. It has no role in cardiac emergencies
• B. It may be given concurrently with defibrillation for unstable patients
• C. It should be given only after stabilization
• D. It is only used for migraine

Answer: (B)

Magnesium acts as a stabilizing, antiarrhythmic agent in acute cardiac emergencies, with a key role when torsades de pointes or magnesium-deficient arrhythmias are involved. In unstable patients with torsades, giving intravenous magnesium sulfate during resuscitation is appropriate and often done alongside defibrillation attempts. This approach helps suppress the abnormal electrical activity that sustains the rhythm while electrical therapy is delivered, addressing the underlying propensity for prolonged QT-related arrhythmias without delaying treatment. It’s not used for all cardiac emergencies or as a treatment for migraines, and while stabilization is important, magnesium can be given promptly during resuscitation rather than only after the patient is fully stabilized.