[Magnesium: current studies--critical evaluation--consequences].

The therapeutic efficacy of magnesium has been studied during recent years in a number of cardiovascular diseases: supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias (multifocal atrial tachycardia, Torsade de pointes-tachycardia, glycoside-associated arrhythmias, sustained ventricular tachycardia), acute myocardial infarction, heart failure and arterial hypertension. Although only a few of these arrhythmias were studied under controlled conditions, the therapeutic efficacy of intravenous magnesium given in a high dose in these arrhythmias seems to be established. By contrary, the efficacy of magnesium in acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure and arterial hypertension remains controversial up to now. Magnesium cannot be regarded as standard therapy for example for patients with acute myocardial infarction.