Introduction & Objective: Cerebral infarction is a sudden dysfunction of brain tissue secondary to circulatory accidents. There are two types of ischemic and hemorrhagic accidents the former is the most common type. It is the third cause of mortality and morbidity in United States. Many studies have postulated neuroprotective effects for potassium and magnesium. These two elements are also involved in blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases which themselves are risk factors for cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). In this research we studied the relationship between CVA and serum potassium and magnesium levels.

Materials & Methods: In this case control study 130 CVA patients were compared to 130 matched patients without CVA who admitted to Kashan University hospitals. Serum potassium and magnesium levels were measured in all patients and control group and the results analyzed statistically using t-test.

Results: In both groups there were 68 male and 62 females. Mean (±SD) of age in case and control groups were 73.8±9.7 and 73.7±9.5 years respectively. Mean (±SD) of serum potassium and magnesium levels in case group was 4.67±0.46, and 1.98±0.28 meq/l respectively, and for control group it was 3.83 ± 0.38, and 1.44±0.32 meq/l respectively. It was lower in case group and the difference was statistically significant (P< 0.0005).

Conclusion: Serum potassium and magnesium levels of patients with CVA were lower than their matched counterparts. This may be an indicator for a metabolic or nutritional derangement, correction of which may be helpful in prevention and/or better management of cerebrovascular accident patients.