Pathogenesis of arrhythmogenic changes due to magnesium depletion.

Magnesium and potassium deficiency may complicate prolonged treatment with any diuretic causing hypermagnesiuria and hyperkaliuria. Hypomagnesaemia is usually associated with reduced intracellular magnesium and potassium levels and increases in sodium and cytosolic calcium concentrations within the myocardium. These changes give rise to nonspecific clinical signs and symptoms. No satisfactory routine procedure exists for the evaluation of total body magnesium levels.