digitoxin and Long-QT-Syndrome

The association between marked hypomagnesemia and arrhythmias, particularly those associated with digitalis intoxication, has long been recognized. More recently, acute intervention with magnesium in patients who are not hypomagnesemic has demonstrated arrhythmia suppression in 3 settings: digitalis intoxication, long QT-related arrhythmias and arrhythmias after acute myocardial infarction. Although the electrophysiologic effects of magnesium are not clearly understood, magnesium treatment is emerging as an important adjunct in managing certain serious ventricular arrhythmias.

Topics: Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Digitalis; Electrophysiology; Heart Ventricles; Humans; Long QT Syndrome; Magnesium; Myocardial Infarction; Plants, Medicinal; Plants, Toxic; Potassium