Magnesium is a critical ion that is essential for life. It is intimately involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions. It also has important endocrine functions and is required for protein synthesis.<sup>65 Toffaletti J. Physiology and regulation: Ionized calcium, magnesium and lactate measurements in critical care settings Am J Clin Pathol 1995 ;  104 (suppl 1) : 588-594

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> It has been estimated that 65% of critically ill patients develop hypomagnesemia during the course of their ICU stays.<sup>54 Ryzen E., Wagers P.W., Singer F.R. , e al. Magnesium deficiency in a medical ICU population Crit Care Med 1985 ;  13 : 19-21  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Chernow and colleagues<sup>11 Chernow B., Bamberger S., Stroiko M. , e al. Hypomagnesemia in patients in the postoperative intensive care unit Chest 1989 ;  95 : 391-397  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> found that hypomagnesemia was associated with higher mortality rates in critically ill patients. Many large university hospitals report doing over 80,000 magnesium assays each year.<sup>65 Toffaletti J. Physiology and regulation: Ionized calcium, magnesium and lactate measurements in critical care settings Am J Clin Pathol 1995 ;  104 (suppl 1) : 588-594

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Despite greater appreciation for the importance of magnesium in critical illness, there remains controversy as to the best way in which to deploy this new understanding to maximally benefit critically ill patients. This article discusses the physiology and metabolism of magnesium; the causes of magnesium deficiency in the critically ill patient; techniques for measuring magnesium; the clinical uses of supplemental magnesium in critical illness including asthma, preeclampsia, arrhythmias, acute myocardial infarction, and stroke; and magnesium replacement strategies in the critically ill patient.