CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF RENAL INSUFFICIENCY: CHANGES OF SERUM ELECTROLYTES COMPOSITION WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SERUM MAGNESIUM LEVEL
STUDIES ON ANURIA, THE 3RD REPORT
1962 Volume 53 Issue 5 Pages 367-401
Details
1962 Volume 53 Issue 5 Pages 367-401
Serum magnesium levels were determined both in clinical cases and experimental animals with renal failure. Serum magnesium levels in course of renal failure and their changes by peritoneal dialysis were investigated in correlation with changes in levels of other serum electrolytes and with ECG. The results are as follows:
1) Marked elevation of serum Mg level was observed both in clinical and experimental cases of acute renal failure.
2) Hypermagnesemla was also observed in cases of chronic renal failure with uremic symptoms.
3) Serum Mg level was in parallel correlation with serum K level in cases of acute and chronic renal insufficiency with manifest uremic symptoms.
4) In a dog with experimental acute renal failure in which marked elevation of serum Mg and slight elevation of serum K were present, ECG examination revealed findings analogous to hyperpotassemia and peritoneal dialysis resulted in reduction of serum Mg level and in improvement of ECG findings.
5) In experimental hypermagnesemia ECG investigation showed bradycardia, arrhythmia, an increased PR interval an increased QRS interval, and an increase in the height and scharpness of the T wave.
6) It was verified by clinical experiences and canine experiments that peritoneal dialysis was an effective treatment of acute renal failure and hypermagnesemia.
7) It is suggested by the author's studies that in acute renal failure or uremia serum Mg level should be determined as a routine examination as well as levels of non-protein nitrogen, Na, K and other components.
