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 intravenous MgSO4 for improvement of pulmonary fuction in patients with acute asthma non-responding to routine therapy. This randomized, double –blind controlled study was conducted on 48 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 had not responded 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 mm and 3 hr. All patients were also given bronchodilators. The main outcome was PEER. Data were analyzed by X2 and t-test and differences between each point, were 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 veruss 47.8±87 p=0.002). the number of breating in MgSO4 was also increased at 30 mm and 3 hr after baseline. Cyanosis, diaphoresis and use 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 an adjunct agent for the treatment of patients with acute non-responding asthma