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Plasma magnesium concentrations were monitored during orthotopic liver transplantation. Magnesium supplementation was not given, although intraoperative calcium, potassium, and sodium bicarbonate were given as required. We found that there were significant falls in magnesium concentration to below our laboratory lower limit of normal, occurring chiefly during the anhepatic phase of surgery. Two patients with hypomagnesemia but normal potassium and calcium ion concentrations developed ventricular extrasystoles. Magnesium is a smooth muscle relaxant, dilating coronary arteries and peripheral vessels. It also exerts an antiarrhythmic effect and may have a permissive effect on the actions of catecholamines. Magnesium supplementation may be indicated during orthotopic liver transplantation because of the potentially beneficial effects and to avoid possible deleterious effects of hypomagnesemia. However, magnesium levels need to be monitored to avoid the unwanted side effects of hypermagnesemia.
M W Bennett, and
N R Webster, and
S A Sadek
April 1996,
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M W Bennett, and
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S A Sadek
February 1989,
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M W Bennett, and
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S A Sadek
July 2005,
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M W Bennett, and
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S A Sadek
October 1992,
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M W Bennett, and
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M W Bennett, and
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M W Bennett, and
N R Webster, and
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M W Bennett, and
N R Webster, and
S A Sadek
October 2007,
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M W Bennett, and
N R Webster, and
S A Sadek
January 1972,
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M W Bennett, and
N R Webster, and
S A Sadek
November 1982,
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