Magnetocardiography

Magnetocardiography (MCG) is a non-invasive technique to measure the magnetic field of the heart. The magnetic field is generated by the electrical currents in the heart. MCG provides information about the electrical activity of the heart, similar to the Electrocardiogram (ECG), but with a different type of signal.

History

Magnetocardiography was first described in 1963 by David Cohen, who used a SQUID magnetometer to measure the magnetic field of the heart. Since then, the technique has been refined and is now used in clinical practice.

Technique

Magnetocardiography is performed using a device called a magnetometer, which measures the magnetic field of the heart. The patient lies on a bed in a magnetically shielded room, and the magnetometer is placed over the chest. The magnetic field of the heart is then measured and recorded.

Clinical Applications

Magnetocardiography has been used in the diagnosis and management of various heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure. It can also be used to assess the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with cardiomyopathy.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The main advantage of MCG is that it is non-invasive and does not require the use of radiation or contrast agents, which makes it safe for all patients, including pregnant women and those with kidney disease. However, the technique requires a magnetically shielded room, which can be expensive to install and maintain.

See Also

• Electrocardiography
• Cardiology
• Medical imaging

References

Magnetocardiography Resources
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