The Use of Magnesium Sulfate in Acute Asthma: Rapid Uptake of Evidence in North American Emergency Departments
Authors: Andrews Timothy , Banks James R. 
Published: November 2007

Rowe BH, Camargo CA Jr; Multicenter Airway Research Collaboration (MARC) Investigators. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006;117:53–58

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) has been shown to be an effective acute bronchodilator in both children and adults with severe acute asthma, yet little is known about its actual clinical use.

STUDY POPULATION. Between 1997 and 2001, ∼10 000 patients were enrolled onto observational asthma studies in the Multicenter Airway Research Collaboration, which is part of the Emergency Medicine Network (EMNet), a collaboration of 140 mostly academic medical institution emergency departments (EDs) in the United States and Canada. In 2001, a survey was conducted of all site investigators regarding MgSO4 use in this patient group.

METHODS. At the time of the study, physicians were unaware of the study and did not use a particular protocol at each site. Chart review was conducted on patients 2 to 54 years of age who were currently having an asthma exacerbation. Patients were managed at the discretion of the treating physician, and cases in which intravenous MgSO4 was used were identified. Pulmonary-function studies, usually peak expiratory flows (PEFs), were recorded as early during the ED evaluation as possible but were not attempted or recorded in all cases. The subsequent survey consisted of 2 parts: a preliminary survey of the use of intravenous MgSO4 in the hospital and a second part regarding interest in research in this area.

RESULTS. From 10 169 ED visits, 9745 (96%) charts documented information regarding administration of MgSO4 for the patients while in the ED. Of these, 240 (2.5%) patients received this drug. The use was 10 times higher among patients who were subsequently admitted versus nonadmitted patients. No specific data as to the number of children so treated were presented. Logistic regression identified several factors associated with MgSO4 use: increasing age, female gender, past history of intubation, duration of symptoms &lt;24 hours, higher initial respiratory rate, low PEF or missing PEF data, and greater use of β agonists and systemic corticosteroids in the ED. In response to the survey, site leaders listed severity and failure to respond to initial β agonists as factors that would prompt MgSO4 use. They disagreed with the use of MgSO4 in all asthmatic patients in the ED. Site leaders also described far less use of this agent both prehospital and in the ICU.

CONCLUSIONS. Most ED physicians accept the efficacy of MgSO4 in acute asthma, but its use remains relatively uncommon. In both practice and theory, these physicians seem to restrict its use to patients with severe acute asthma. Patterns of use will likely continue to evolve as knowledge of the efficacy and safety of MgSO4 in acute asthma management disseminates.

REVIEWER COMMENTS. Because the use of MgSO4 was so much higher in admitted patients, does this not beg the question as to whether it should be used even more aggressively in the ED and in the subsequently hospitalized child with status asthmaticus? Also, considering the apparent safety of MgSO4 in either the intravenous or nebulized form, should this drug be part of the outpatient treatment protocol for the child with relatively severe bronchospasm who first presents in the office of the pediatrician or allergist?