Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate As An Adjunct In The Treatment Of Severe Asthmatic Patients Non-Responding To Conventional Therapy

Treatment of acute asthma is based on rapid reversal of bronchospasm and arresting airway inflammation. This study was done to determine the effect of IV MgSO4 for improvement of pulmonary function in patients with acute asthma non responding to routine therapy presenting to the pulmonary department. These randomized, doubleblind, controlled study was conducted on patients (magnesium sulfate group, n=48, aged 12-85 years, 26 men, 22 women and control(saline) group, n=33, aged 15-80 years, 17 men, 16 women) who non-responding to routine treatment. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was done before MgSO4 (25 mg/kg) and normal saline (100 ml) as a baseline criteria and after infusion of drugs at 30 min and 3 hr. All patients were also given bronchodilators. The main outcome was PEFR. Data were analyzed by x2 and t-test and differences between each point, was considered significant at p< 0.05. The Peak expiratory flow rate 3 hrs after baseline increased in MgSO4 group in comparison with saline group (82.60 5.8 versus 47.8 8.7 p=0.002). The number of breathing in MgSO4 was also increased at 30 min and 3 hr after baseline. Cyanosis, diaphoresis and using of respiratory accessory muscles by patients were decreased in MgSO4 in comparison with saline group. According to the results, it is suggested that MgSO4 can be as an adjunct agent for the treatment of patients with acute nonresponding asthma.