Serum and red blood cell Mg levels in acute coronary events.

Serum (s-Mg) and red blood cell (e-Mg) Mg levels were assessed in 29 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and in 16 patients with unstable angina (UA), from admission until discharge. The following results were found: (1) no significant difference existed between mean s-Mg levels in AMI and UA, despite a tendency for an increase being noted with a favorable course of disease, (2) in AMI, mean s-Mg levels were initially lowered, increased within the first 24 h (p less than 0.05), decreased sharply at day 4 (p less than 0.05), and increased again until discharge (p less than 0.05). (3) in UA; the increase in mean e-Mg during hospitalization is statistically significant (p less than 0.02); (4) no significant difference was found between Mg levels and arrhythmias; and (5) a linear inverse correlation was found between Mg levels and prognosis of infarction.