MAGNESIUM THERAPY IN NEW-ONSET ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION

In new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), digoxin has a limited ability to control ventricular response, is no better than placebo for facilitating conversion to sinus rhythm, and has a slow onset of action with a narrow toxic-therapeutic ratio.1,2 Magnesium (Mg) has been shown to slow and sometimes normalize the heart rhythm in supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.3,4 A randomized trial found Mg prevents AF in patients after cardiac surgery.5 Because of these factors, we conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study addressing whether Mg and digoxin were superior to digoxin alone in controlling the ventricular response of AE. © 1994.