1.
Ketamine Infusion Combined With Magnesium as a Therapy for Intractable Chronic Cluster Headache: Report of Two Cases.
Moisset, X, Clavelou, P, Lauxerois, M, Dallel, R, Picard, P
Headache. 2017;(8):1261-1264
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic cluster headache (CH) is a rare, highly disabling primary headache condition. As NMDA receptors are possibly overactive in CH, NMDA receptor antagonists, such as ketamine, could be of interest in patients with intractable CH. CASE REPORTS Two Caucasian males, 28 and 45 years-old, with chronic intractable CH, received a single ketamine infusion (0.5 mg/kg over 2 h) combined with magnesium sulfate (3000 mg over 30 min) in an outpatient setting. This treatment led to a complete relief from symptoms (attack frequency and pain intensity) for one patient and partial relief (50%) for the other patient, for 6 weeks in both cases. CONCLUSION The NMDA receptor is a potential target for the treatment of chronic CH. Randomized, placebo-controlled studies are warranted to establish both safety and efficacy of such treatment.
2.
Is there a place for nebulised magnesium sulphate in the management of asthma?
Lyons, J
Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association. 2016;(7):28-33
Abstract
Intravenous magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) is an accepted part of the pharmacological management of patients with asthma. There is conflicting information, however, on whether its nebulised form is beneficial. This article describes a case study in which a patient was given intravenous MgSO4. It was suggested by a medical consultant that she could have been given nebulised MgSO4, so a literature review was undertaken to examine its efficacy. The results suggest there is no evidence to support the use of nebulised MgSO4 in the management of patients with asthma.
4.
Refeeding syndrome in cancer patients.
Marinella, MA
International journal of clinical practice. 2008;(3):460-5
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refeeding syndrome (RFS) is a common, yet underappreciated, constellation of electrolyte derangements that typically occurs in acutely ill, malnourished hospitalised patients who are administered glucose solutions or other forms of intravenous or enteral nutrition. DISCUSSION The hallmark of RFS is hypophosphataemia, but hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia are also common. Patients with various types of malignancies are at-risk for RFS, but very little exists in the oncologic literature about this disorder. CONCLUSIONS As RFS can have many adverse metabolic, cardiovascular, haematologic and neurologic complications, practicing oncologist needs to be aware of the pathophysiology, risk factors and clinical manifestations to promptly recognise this important, and potentially fatal, metabolic disorder.