Background: Magnesium (Mg) is the second most common intracellular cation after potassium (K). Mg is a cofactor in many enzyme systems in human cells and it has a predominant role in normal myocardial physiology. Magnesium has been implicated in the complications like arrhythmias in acute myocardial infarction. Objective: To know the serum magnesium level in patients with acute myocardial infarction and its relation with arrhythmia. Study design: Descriptive cross sectional study. Study place & period: Department of Cardiology TMSS Medical College & Rafatullah Community Hospital (TMC & RCH), Bogra from July, 2013 to November, 2013. Subjects: 50 patients with acute myocardial infarction were admitted to the Department of Cardiology, TMC & RCH, Bogra. Methods: Data were collected from patients of any age and both sexes with acute myocardial infarction as determined by clinical features, ECG evidence and biochemical report. Blood sample for estimation of serum magnesium level was collected as early as possible within 24 hours of admission and 5th day of admission. After admission to CCU every patient was under continuous cardiac monitoring to see and record any arrhythmia within 5 days of onset of symptoms. Results: A total of 50 patients of acute myocardial infarction were included in the study. The male to female ratio in the study group was 3.17:1 and the maximum incidence of acute myocardial infarction was seen in 5th and 6th decade. Arrhythmia developed in (52%) patients and in majority (57.7%) of patients with anterior wall MI. In the study group mean serum. magnesium level in 50 patients on day-1 is 1.86-0.39 and on Day-5 is 2.26-0.5. Mean serum magnesium level in 26 patients with arrhythmia was 1.65+0.26 on day-1 and 1.98+0.25 on day-5. In the study group, mean serum magnesium level in 24 patients without arrhythmia was 2.05+0.41 on day-1 and 2.48+0.52 on day-5. The difference between the magnesium level in patients with arrhythmia and without arrhythmia is statically significant on both day- 1 and day-5 (p<0.001). PVC was the most common type (42.5%) of arrhythmia. Conclusion: Scrum magnesium levels are significantly low in patients who develop arrhythmia in acute myocardial infarction.

Coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction, serum magnesium level, arrhythmia.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the highest killer in developed countries and is now an emerging epidemic in developing countries including Bangladesh. During recent years, more than six million people worldwide died of Ischemic heart disease, which was predicted to be the leading cause deaths all over the world. A study showed that acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of death in Bangladesh in the 4th decade of life?. In Bangladesh, the prevalence of CAD was estimated as 13/1000 in 2004,3. Several investigators documented an association between magnesium deficiency and coronary artery diseasei.