Review of the role of magnesium sulphate in the management of asthma patient at A&E setting

Controversial views exist with regards to the use of intravenous magnesium sulphate in patient with severe asthmatic attack. The benefit of intravenous magnesium sulphate may be masked by the pooling of patients with different pathophysiology. The subsets of patients with severe asthmatic attack who have not responded to nebulised bronchodilator therapy and intravenous steroid therapy may benefit from intravenous magnesium sulphate therapy. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2003;10:37-42)