Utility of magnesium sulfate in the treatment of rapid atrial fibrillation in the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#atrial-fibrillation #emergency-service-hospital #heart-rate #humans #magnesium

Utility of magnesium sulfate in the treatment of rapid atrial fibrillation in the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Hoffer et al., 2022 | Eur J Emerg Med | Meta Analysis

Citation

Hoffer Megan, Tran Quincy K, ... Pourmand Ali. Utility of magnesium sulfate in the treatment of rapid atrial fibrillation in the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Emerg Med. 2022-Aug-01;29(4):253-261. doi:10.1097/MEJ.0000000000000941

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (Afib/RVR) is a frequent reason for emergency department (ED) visits and can be treated with a variety of pharmacological agents. Magnesium sulfate has been used to prevent and treat postoperative Afib/RVR. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of magnesium for treatment of Afib/RVR in the ED. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched up to June 2021 to identify any relevant randomized trials or observational studies. We used Cochrane's Risk-of-Bias tools to assess study qualities and random-effects meta-analysis for the difference of heart rate (HR) before and after treatment. Our search identified 395 studies; after reviewing 11 full texts, we included five randomized trials in our analysis. There were 815 patients with Afib/RVR; 487 patients (60%) received magnesium treatment, whereas 328 (40%) patients received control treatment. Magnesium treatment was associated with significant reduction in HR [standardized mean difference (SMD), 0.34; 95% CI, 0.21-0.47; P < 0.001; I2 = 4%), but not associated with higher rates of sinus conversion (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 0.726-2.94; P = 0.29), nor higher rates of hypotension and bradycardia (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 0.62-8.09; P = 0.22). Meta-regressions demonstrated that higher maintenance dose (corr. coeff, 0.17; P = 0.01) was positively correlated with HR reductions, respectively. We observed that magnesium infusion can be an effective rate control treatment for patients who presented to the ED with Afib/RVR. Further studies with more standardized forms of control and magnesium dosages are necessary to assess the benefit/risk ratio of magnesium treatment, besides to confirm our observations.

Key Findings

Further studies with more standardized forms of control and magnesium dosages are necessary to assess the benefit/risk ratio of magnesium treatment, besides to confirm our observations.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population afib
Sample Size 815
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Magnesium
  • Magnesium Sulfate

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: magnesium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09