[Marked reduction of life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias in a critically ill patient by intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate].

A 90-year-old man with ischemic heart disease underwent an emergent operation for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patient was brought to the operating room in a state of hypovolemic shock, and developed myocardial ischemia and intractable ventricular arrhythmias during the operation. Intensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation including rapid transfusion, external cardiac massage, electrical defibrillation, and extensive use of cardiovascular drugs restored hemodynamic stability temporarily.