Magnetocardiography

The magnetocardiogram ( MCG abbreviated ) is the acquisition and display the magnetic field of the heart, produced by the electrophysiological activity of the heart muscle cells. The recording is usually done with highly sensitive magnetic sensors, so-called SQUIDs. The inclusion of magnetocardiogram is contactless, non-invasive and purely passive. The body is not subjected to energy irradiation and not during the measurement.

The magnetic field of the heart corresponds exactly to its electrophysiological arousal. However, since the magnetic field lines, in contrast to the electric signals only marginally affected by the body tissues can be a very accurate conclusion as to the electrophysiological function of the heart muscle.

Benefits

• By detecting the magnetic field and eddy currents in the cardiac muscle can be displayed, which can not be recorded using a surface ECG.
• The collection is very easy and convenient because no electrodes need to be attached, no contrast agents are necessary and the patient does not even have to undress.

Disadvantage

The magnetic fields of the heart are very weak, they are in the range of about 20 to 80 Picotesla. By comparison, the Earth's magnetic field is in Central Europe with about 48 μT about a million times stronger. Therefore, external interference must be carefully shielded and suppressed.