Prevention of Atrial Arrhythmias by Infusion of Magnesium Sulphate after Lung Resection for Cancer

Atrial fibrillation will be assessed using a standard 12-lead ECG measurement from the onset of the Q wave to the end of the S wave.

1. Myocardial Infarction will be defined by two of the following three criteria if present: Unequivocal ECG changes. Elevation of cardiac enzyme(s): 3 times upper limit of creatinine kinase CK/CKMB) and above twice the upper limit of normal or elevated troponin (T/I). Chest pain typical of ischaemia lasting for more than 20 minutes.
2. Respiratory complications as determined by the requirement for postoperative mechanical ventilation greater than 24 hours or reintubation for ventilatory support after the day of surgery; pneumonia - defined as fever eukocytosis, pulmonary infiltrate requiring antibiotic therapy; air leak from thoracostomy tubes for more than six days postoperatively; lobar collapse on postoperative chest radiograph; empyema and bronchopleural fistula. Sputum retention defined as failure to clear bronchial secretions that can result in: bronchial obstruction, atelectasis, lobar collapse, secondary pulmonary infection.
3. Renal Complications - postoperative rise in serum creatinine above 200µmol/litre or requirement of postoperative dialysis support in a patient with normal preoperative renal function was considered to be a renal complication.
4. Neurological complications - a postoperative new cerebrovascular accident or transient ischaemic attack was considered to be a neurological complication.
5. Pulmonary embolus defined as a blockage of an artery in the lungs by fat, air, tumor tissue, or blood clot.
6. Death is defined as all-cause mortality and the cause of death will have to be specified. In the analysis, all deaths during the study period will be compared between the two groups.