OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role of magnesium sulfate in patients with 
subarachnoid hemorrhagic (SAH) brain injury
METHOD: Studies for the meta-analysis were identified from PubMed (1966 to 
2009), Embase (1980 to 2009), and two Chinese journals (1989 to 2009). Paper 
selection was based on randomized controlled trials comparing magnesium sulfate 
to placebo treatment in patients with SAH. Two independent review authors 
extracted the data and assessed trial quality. Meta-analysis was performed using 
the Cochrane Review Manger software.
RESULTS: Five trials involving 482 patients were included in the review. 
Magnesium sulfate reduced the risk of poor outcome and reduced the occurrence of 
delayed cerebral ischemia. In the treatment groups, relative risk for poor 
outcome was 0.73 (CI 0.57-0.93) and 0.66 (CI 0.47-0.92) for delayed cerebral 
ischemia. Case fatality assessment at three to six months did not show 
statistically significant data (RR 0.88; CI 0.61-1.29).
CONCLUSION: Magnesium sulfate appears to be an effective treatment option in the 
management of SAH. Further clinical trials are needed before magnesium sulfate 
can become a routine treatment for SAH.