Cardiopulmonary arrest after the administration of magnesium sulphate. A case report.

The death of a patient from cardiopulmonary arrest after the administration of magnesium sulphate for imminent eclampsia is reported. It has long been recognized that magnesium sulphate provides rapid control of convulsions in eclamptic patients with minimal sedative effects on both mother and fetus. However, because of the neuromuscular blocking action of magnesium and the narrow margin between therapeutic and toxic serum levels, the drug must be given with caution. A regimen for magnesium sulphate administration is advocated which allows safe and effective control of convulsions in eclampsia.