Magnesium sulfate infusion for acute asthma in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the role of intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) as therapy for acute severe asthma in the pediatric emergency department (ED). SOURCE: Publications were searched in the PubMed and Cochrane databases using the following keywords: magnesium AND asthma AND children AND clinical trial. A total of 53 publications were retrieved using this criteria. References of relevant articles were also screened. The authors included the summary of relevant publications where intravenous magnesium sulfate was studied in children (age <18 years) with acute asthma. The NAEPP and Global Initiative for Asthma expert panel guidelines were also reviewed. SUMMARY OF THE DATA: There is a large variability in the ED practices on the intravenous administration of MgSO4 for severe asthma. The pharmacokinetics of MgSO4 is often not taken into account with a consequent impact in its pharmacodynamics properties. The cumulative evidence points to the effectiveness of intravenous MgSO4 in preventing hospitalization, if utilized in a timely manner and at an appropriate dosage (50-75mg/kg). For every five children treated in the ED, one hospital admission could be prevented. Another administration modality is a high-dose continuous magnesium sulfate infusion (HDMI) as 50mg/kg/h/4h (200mg/kg/4h). The early utilization of HDMI for non-infectious mediated asthma may be superior to a MgSO4 bolus in avoiding admissions and expediting discharges from the ED. HDMI appears to be cost-effective if applied early to a selected population. Intravenous MgSO4 has a similar safety profile than other asthma therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with intravenous MgSO4 reduces the odds of hospital admissions. The use of intravenous MgSO4 in the emergency room was not associated with significant side effects or harm. The authors emphasize the role of MgSO4 as an adjunctive therapy, while corticosteroids and beta agonist remain the primary acute therapeutic agents.

Magnesium sulfate infusion for acute asthma in the emergency department / Infusão de sulfato de magnésio para asma aguda no serviço de emergência

Abstract Objectives: To describe the role of intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) as therapy for acute severe asthma in the pediatric emergency department (ED). Source: Publications were searched in the PubMed and Cochrane databases using the following keywords: magnesium AND asthma AND children AND clinical trial. A total of 53 publications were retrieved using this criteria. References of relevant articles were also screened. The authors included the summary of relevant publications where intravenous magnesium sulfate was studied in children (age <18 years) with acute asthma. The NAEPP and Global Initiative for Asthma expert panel guidelines were also reviewed. Summary of the data: There is a large variability in the ED practices on the intravenous administration of MgSO4 for severe asthma. The pharmacokinetics of MgSO4 is often not taken into account with a consequent impact in its pharmacodynamics properties. The cumulative evidence points to the effectiveness of intravenous MgSO4 in preventing hospitalization, if utilized in a timely manner and at an appropriate dosage (50-75 mg/kg). For every five children treated in the ED, one hospital admission could be prevented. Another administration modality is a high-dose continuous magnesium sulfate infusion (HDMI) as 50 mg/kg/h/4 h (200 mg/kg/4 h). The early utilization of HDMI for non-infectious mediated asthma may be superior to a MgSO4 bolus in avoiding admissions and expediting discharges from the ED. HDMI appears to be cost-effective if applied early to a selected population. Intravenous MgSO4 has a similar safety profile than other asthma therapies. Conclusions: Treatment with intravenous MgSO4 reduces the odds of hospital admissions. The use of intravenous MgSO4 in the emergency room was not associated with significant side effects or harm. The authors emphasize the role of MgSO4 as an adjunctive therapy, while corticosteroids and beta agonist remain the primary acute therapeutic agents.

Resumo Objetivos: Descrever o papel do sulfato de magnésio intravenoso (MgSO4) como terapia para asma grave aguda em serviço de emergência pediátrica (SE). Fonte: As publicações foram pesquisadas nos bancos de dados PubMed e Cochrane com as seguintes palavras-chave: magnésio E asma E crianças E ensaio clínico. Foram encontradas 53 publicações. As referências de artigos relevantes também foram examinadas. Incluímos o resumo de publicações relevantes quando o sulfato de magnésio intravenoso foi estudado em crianças (idade < 18 anos) com asma aguda. Revisamos também as diretrizes do Programa Nacional para a Educação e Prevenção da Asma (NAEPP) e do painel de especialistas da Iniciativa Global para Asma. Resumo dos dados: Há uma grande variabilidade nas práticas do SE na administração intravenosa do MgSO4 para asma grave. A farmacocinética do MgSO4 normalmente não leva em conta um impacto posterior em suas propriedades farmacodinâmicas. A comprovação cumulativa aponta para a eficácia do MgSO4 intravenoso na prevenção da internação, se usado quando necessário e em uma dosagem adequada (50-75 mg/kg). Uma internação hospitalar pode ser evitada para cada cinco crianças tratadas no SE. Outra modalidade de administração é a infusão prolongada de alta dose de sulfato de magnésio (HDMI) a 50 mg/kg/hora/4 horas (200 mg/kg/4 horas). O uso precoce da HDMI, para asma não infecciosa mediada, pode ser superior a um MgSO4 em bólus para evitar internações e antecipar as altas do SE. A HDMI parece ter bom custo-benefício se aplicada precocemente em uma população selecionada. O MgSO4 intravenoso tem um perfil de segurança semelhante a outras terapias de asma. Conclusões: O tratamento com MgSO4 intravenoso reduz as chances de internações hospitalares. O uso de MgSO4 intravenoso no pronto socorro não é associado a efeitos colaterais ou danos significativos. Enfatizamos o papel do MgSO4 como uma terapia adjuvante, ao passo que os corticosteroides e as beta-agonistas continuam os agentes terapêuticos agudos primários.