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Magnesium retards the progress of the arterial calcifications in hemodialysis patients: a pilot study

  • Nephrology - Original Paper
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Abstract

Background

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of magnesium (Mg) on the evolution of arterial calcifications in hemodialysis patients.

Patients and methods

Seventy-two stable hemodialysis patients were randomly allocated to two groups: 36 administered a regimen containing magnesium carbonate plus calcium acetate as a phosphate binder (Mg group), while the rest 36 received calcium acetate alone (Ca group). The presence and the progression of arterial calcifications were evaluated in plain X-rays using a simple vascular calcification score. The duration of the follow-up period was 12 months.

Results

Thirty-two patients of the Mg group and 27 of the Ca group completed the study. The mean time average values of the biochemical laboratories did not differ between the two groups, except serum Mg: 2.83 + 0.38 in the Mg group versus 2.52 + 0.27 mg/dl in the Ca group, p = 0.001. In 9/32 (28.12 %) patients of the Mg group and in 12/27 (44.44 %) patients of the Ca group, the arterial calcifications were worsened, p = 0.276. Moreover, in 4/32 (15.6 %) patients of the Mg group and in 0/27 (0 %) patients of the Ca group, they were improved, p = 0.040. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum magnesium was an independent predictor for no progression of the arterial calcifications, p = 0.047.

Conclusions

Magnesium probably retards the arterial calcifications in hemodialysis patients. Further clinical studies are needed to clarify whether magnesium provides cardiovascular protection to this group of patients.

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Conflict of interest

All the authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nephrology, Chania General Hospital, 18 Michali Mefa st, Chania, Crete, PC 73100, Greece

    Ioannis P. Tzanakis, Elisavet E. Stamataki & Antonia N. Papadaki

  2. Department of Radiology, Chania General Hospital, Chania, Greece

    Nektarios Giannakis

  3. Chania General Hospital, Chania, Greece

    Nikolaos E. Damianakis

  4. Department of Nephrology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Dimitrios G. Oreopoulos

  5. Renal Unit, General Hospital of Chania, PC 73300, Mournies, Chania, Greece

    Ioannis P. Tzanakis, Elisavet E. Stamataki, Antonia N. Papadaki, Nektarios Giannakis, Nikolaos E. Damianakis & Dimitrios G. Oreopoulos

Authors
  1. Ioannis P. Tzanakis
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  2. Elisavet E. Stamataki
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  3. Antonia N. Papadaki
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  4. Nektarios Giannakis
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  5. Nikolaos E. Damianakis
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  6. Dimitrios G. Oreopoulos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ioannis P. Tzanakis.

Additional information

Dimitrios G. Oreopoulos: Deceased.

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Tzanakis, I.P., Stamataki, E.E., Papadaki, A.N. et al. Magnesium retards the progress of the arterial calcifications in hemodialysis patients: a pilot study. Int Urol Nephrol 46, 2199–2205 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-014-0751-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-014-0751-9

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