The effects of midazolam on oxygen consumption and the level of vigilance. The possibility of the sedative effect of the plexiglas dome (canopy) of the Deltatrac indirect calorimetry device

We investigated the effect of intravenous magnesium, a N-methyl-D-asparate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, in 8 patients suffering from neuropathic pain (post herpetic neuralgia or causalgia etc.). After the nerve block, magnesium sulphate (0.5 mol.l-1) 5 ml was administered intravenously by bolus infusion taking 5 min, followed by continuous infusion of the same dose for one hour. All patients were treated with this therapy once a week. In 4 patients, VAS score decreased 3 points or more when this therapy had been administered 3 to 11 times. In 2 patients, VAS score did not change, and the analgesic effect of magnesium was not certain in other 2 patients. Some patients felt heat sensation immediately after the bolus infusion of Mg, and had a good sleep after this therapy. However, there were not any severe side effects and significant change in HR or BP. We conclude that this therapy with magnesium once a week is safe and effective for relieving neuropathic pain.