The Efficacy of Intravenous Magnesium on Spinal Anesthesia in Preeclamptic Women

The Effects of Magnesium Sulfate and NMDA Receptor Antagonist on the Body

Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is a common drug used to prevent seizures and treat preeclampsia in pregnant women. On the other hand, the function of an NMDA receptor antagonist is to block that pathway in the nerve cells from transmitting pain signals to the brain.

Some research suggests that as an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, magnesium may help speed up the onset and prolong the duration of spinal anesthesia, reduce the quantity of general anesthesia needed during surgery and the need for pain medication after surgery.

This study looked into the efficacy of intravenous magnesium on the speed of onset and duration of spinal anesthesia, sensory block, and motor block in preeclamptic women about to undergo caesarian section.

The Study on Intravenous Magnesium for Preeclamptic Women Undergoing Cesarean Section

60 women undergoing caesarean section were randomly and equally divided into the MgSO4 group and the control group. The MgSO4 group received 50 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of MgSO4, diluted in normal saline for a 50 milliliters (ml) solution and infused intravenously within 15 minutes. The control group had 50 ml of normal saline. Spinal anesthesia (bupivacaine) was administered using a standardized technique. The start and duration of sensory block, motor block, and duration of spinal anesthesia were studied. Postoperative pain was measured using a visual analog scale. Side effects, if any, were recorded.

The Results

Magnesium significantly hastened the onset of sensory block and prolonged the duration of sensory block, motor block, and spinal anesthesia. The onset time of the motor block was quicker in the MgSO4 group, but compared with the control group, the difference was not significant. Side effects were similar between the groups.

The Conclusion

MgSO4 administered intravenously can hasten the onset of sensory block, prolong the duration of sensory block, motor block, and spinal anesthesia, alleviate postoperative pain, without side effects, but did not significantly shorten the onset of motor block in preeclamptic women undergoing spinal anesthesia.

References

Effect of Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate on Bupivacaine Spinal Anesthesia in Preeclamptic Patients