Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Stroke
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
« Previous Article | Table of Contents | Next Article »
Stroke. 2009;40:1169-1175
Published online before print February 10, 2009, doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.108.527788
Free Article
This Article
Free upon publication Free Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
40/4/1169    most recent
STROKEAHA.108.527788v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Euser, A. G.
Right arrow Articles by Cipolla, M. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Euser, A. G.
Right arrow Articles by Cipolla, M. J.
Related Collections
Right arrow Cerebrovascular disease/stroke
Right arrow Other hypertension
Right arrow Other Treatment
Right arrow Brain Circulation and Metabolism
Right arrow Neuroprotectors
Right arrow Other Vascular biology

(Stroke. 2009;40:1169.)
© 2009 American Heart Association, Inc.

Go Red for Women

Magnesium Sulfate for the Treatment of Eclampsia

A Brief Review

Anna G. Euser, PhD Marilyn J. Cipolla, PhD

From the Departments of Neurology, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, and Pharmacology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington.

Correspondence to Marilyn J. Cipolla, PhD, University of Vermont, Department of Neurology, 89 Beaumont Ave, Given C454, Burlington, VT 05405. E-mail Marilyn.Cipolla{at}uvm.edu

Background and Purpose— Magnesium sulfate is used extensively for prevention of eclamptic seizures. Empirical and clinical evidence supports the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate; however, questions remain as to its safety and mechanism. This review summarizes current evidence supporting the possible mechanisms of action and several controversies for magnesium sulfate treatment.

Summary of Review— Several mechanisms are presented, including the effects of magnesium sulfate on peripheral and cerebral vasodilation, blood-brain barrier protection, and as an anticonvulsant.

Conclusions— Though the specific mechanisms of action remain unclear, the effect of magnesium sulfate in the prevention of eclampsia is likely multi-factorial. Magnesium sulfate may act as a vasodilator, with actions in the peripheral vasculature or the cerebrovasculature, to decrease peripheral vascular resistance or relieve vasoconstriction. Additionally, magnesium sulfate may also protect the blood-brain barrier and limit cerebral edema formation, or it may act through a central anticonvulsant action.


Key Words: eclampsia • magnesium sulfate • vasodilation • blood-brain barrier • anticonvulsant




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Br J AnaesthHome page
M. F. M. James
Magnesium: an emerging drug in anaesthesia
Br. J. Anaesth., October 1, 2009; 103(4): 465 - 467.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Stroke Home | Subscriptions | Archives | Feedback | Authors | Help | AHA Journals Home | Search
Copyright © 2009 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.