Low Serum Magnesium and the Development of Atrial Fibrillation in the Community
Key result
Individuals in the lowest quartile of serum magnesium (≤1.77 mg/dL) were 52% more likely to develop atrial fibrillation compared to those in higher quartiles (HR 1.52).
Why the study?
Does low serum magnesium increase the risk of incident atrial fibrillation in ambulatory adults without cardiovascular disease?
Population
Adults from the Framingham Offspring Study attending a routine examination, free of atrial fibrillation and…
Comparison
Lowest quartile of serum magnesium (≤1.77 mg/dL) vs Upper quartiles of serum magnesium (>1.77 mg/dL)
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
mean 18.6±3.7 years (up to 20 years)
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
Low serum magnesium was associated with incident AF in community adults without CVD; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective confirmation before clinical consideration.
Structured PICO
Does low serum magnesium increase the risk of incident atrial fibrillation in ambulatory adults without cardiovascular disease?
P
Population
Adults from the Framingham Offspring Study attending a routine examination, free of atrial fibrillation and cardiovascular disease (mean age 44 years, 52% women).
I
Intervention
Lowest quartile of serum magnesium (≤1.77 mg/dL)
C
Comparator
Upper quartiles of serum magnesium (>1.77 mg/dL)
O
Outcome
Incident atrial fibrillation (AF)hard clinical
Low serum magnesium is moderately associated with an increased risk of developing incident atrial fibrillation in ambulatory individuals without prior cardiovascular disease.
Limitations
- Serum magnesium measured at only 1 time point
- Did not differentiate between types of AF (paroxysmal, persistent, permanent, or flutter)
- Dietary magnesium records were not available
- Alcohol consumption obtained by self-report and binge drinking not assessed
- Sleep apnea not assessed
- Family history of AF not available for a significant proportion
- Largely European ancestry limits generalizability
Cite This Study
Khan et al. (2012) studied this question. Individuals in the lowest quartile of serum magnesium (≤1.77 mg/dL) were 52% more likely to develop atrial fibrillation compared to those in higher quartiles (HR 1.52).