Intravenous Magnesium: Prompt Use for Asthma in Children Treated in the Emergency Department (IMPACT-ED): Protocol for a Multicenter Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate in Pediatric Acute Asthma Exacerbations

Pediatric asthma exacerbations represent a significant cause of emergency department use and hospitalizations. Despite available treatment options, many children's exacerbations are refractory to standard therapies and require adjunct treatments. The Intravenous Magnesium: Prompt use for Asthma in Children Treated in the Emergency Department study investigated the pharmacology of intravenous magnesium sulfate (IVMg) in treating pediatric asthma exacerbations. Specifically, the objectives of the study included (1) externally validating a previously published population pharmacokinetic model and (2) linking serum magnesium concentrations with outcomes including asthma severity score (efficacy) and hypotension (safety). Data were obtained from 49 children prospectively treated with IVMg (placebo, 50 or 75 mg/kg) after presenting to the pediatric emergency department with an acute asthma exacerbation. Reductions in Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure scores were associated with both total and ionized serum magnesium area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-2 h). Despite frequent study-specific blood pressure monitoring, hypotension was uncommon in IVMg-treated participants (n = 2/31), and no concentration dependence was observed. The findings signal that IVMg may be an efficacious and safe option for treating moderate-severe pediatric acute asthma exacerbations in the ED. Importantly, this study is the first to suggest a serum exposure target (total serum magnesium AUC0-2 h >63.1 mg h/L) reflective of effective IVMg dosing in pediatric acute asthma. While further study in a larger clinical trial is needed to refine and validate this exposure target, these findings support the continued study of IVMg therapy as an adjunct therapeutic option in the setting of pediatric asthma exacerbations.

Intravenous Magnesium: Prompt use for Asthma in Children Treated in the Emergency Department (IMPACT-ED), a pilot randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Asthma is the most common chronic illness of childhood and a leading cause of hospitalization and health care costs for children. Intravenous magnesium sulfate (IVMg) may help severely ill children avoid hospitalization when added to standard treatment in an emergency department (ED), but this has not been adequately evaluated in a large trial. We conducted a pilot trial to test procedures and gather information to plan a large multicenter trial.

METHODS

Children 2-17 years old with severe acute asthma were randomized in a multicenter, double-blind, controlled trial of placebo (saline, 1 mL/kg, max 40 mL), low-dose IVMg (50 mg/kg, max 2 g), or high-dose IVMg (75 mg/kg, max 3 g) in addition to standard asthma therapy at the EDs of three tertiary pediatric hospitals between September 2022 and May 2023. We assessed the feasibility of delivering study drug within 90 min of treatment (defined as the start of the first inhaled albuterol) and monitoring for hypotension and obtained blood samples for pharmacologic analysis. Our target enrollment was one participant per site per week (90 total).

RESULTS

A total of 52 patients were randomized, and 49 received study drug. Median (Q1, Q3) participant age was 6.3 (4.6, 9.6) years and 35 (67.3%) were male. Among 52 randomized participants, study drug was delivered within 90 min to 34 (65.4%), 486/542 (89.7%) anticipated blood pressure measurements were within time frames, 138/156 (88.5%) anticipated blood samples were obtained, and 38 (73.1%) were hospitalized. Hypotension was measured within 2 h of study drug administration in 2/18 (11.1%) who received placebo and 2/31 (6.5%) who received IVMg.

CONCLUSIONS

Most anticipated blood pressure measurements and blood samples were obtained. Hypotension occurred at rates similar to previous reports. Lower-than-expected enrollment (related to low patient volumes) and timely delivery of study drug will require consideration for a larger trial.

Intravenous magnesium sulfate for asthma exacerbations in children: Systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Asthma is the most prevalent chronic disease in children and constitutes a significant healthcare burden. First-line therapy for acute asthma exacerbations is well established. However, secondary treatments, including intravenous magnesium sulfate (IV-MgSO4), remain variable due to scarcity of data on its efficacy and safety.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness and safety of IV-MgSO4 as a second line of treatment in managing children with asthma exacerbations.

METHODS

We searched five databases from inception until April 2023 on randomized clinical trials of IV-MgSO4 in children with acute asthma exacerbations. The primary outcomes were hospitalization rate and length, and change in the severity score. Secondary outcomes included percentage increase in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), hospital re-admission rate, need and length for pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) treatment, and adverse effects. Meta-analysis was performed for three outcomes with estimated odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Eleven studies met the final criteria. In comparison to control, administration of IV-MgSO4 was associated with a reduced hospitalization risk (OR 0.15; 95%CI: 0.03, 0.73) in four studies, and improvement of lung function (MD 26.77% PEFR; 95%CI: 18.41, 54.79) in two studies. There were no significant differences in the length of stay between groups. Due to heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis of other outcomes was performed.

CONCLUSION

The use of IV-MgSO4 demonstrated a reduction in the hospitalization rate and PEFR improvement in children with asthma exacerbations. Adverse effects were rare. Further well-designed studies are needed to better determine the efficacy and safety profile of IV-MgSO4.

A Comprehensive Review of Magnesium Sulfate Infusion: Unveiling the Impact on Hemodynamic Stability During Laryngoscopy and Tracheal Intubation in Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgeries

This comprehensive review explores the potential of magnesium sulfate infusion in mitigating hemodynamic instability during laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries. Hemodynamic fluctuations during these procedures pose challenges, and magnesium sulfate, with its vasodilatory, antiarrhythmic, and neuroprotective properties, emerges as a promising intervention. The review critically examines existing literature, emphasizing patient selection criteria, dosage protocols, and a comparative analysis with other hemodynamic stabilizers. Safety considerations, including known adverse effects and risk-benefit assessments, and monitoring and management strategies are elucidated. The implications for ENT surgery are discussed, highlighting the potential for enhanced hemodynamic management and individualized approaches. The review concludes with a call for continued research, emphasizing the ongoing evolution of understanding and practice incorporating magnesium sulfate into perioperative care. The insights offered aim to guide clinicians in navigating this dynamic landscape for improved patient outcomes in ENT surgeries.