Magnetic field imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging ( MFI ) is a side-effect free medical screening method, are presented in the functional images of the heart. MFI used for receiving the magnetic signals in the SQUID usually arranged in an array of at least 49 sensors. The MFI - examination allows the doctor among other things the individual risk of a patient for the occurrence of life -threatening cardiac arrhythmias estimate that can lead to sudden cardiac death. Other applications are the diagnosis of ischemia.

The magnetic signals are associated with the electric currents that flow to the control and excitation of the muscle. In contrast to the electrical currents, however, the magnetic signals leave the body almost unaffected and transport Moreover, additional information which does not reach the body surface of the electrical signal.

Medical benefits

The MFI appears in selected patients in some cases a tendency for possible life-threatening heart rhythm disorders to be able to discover. However, so far this still missing convincing evidence, eg by multicenter studies, which is surprising, since the method is already described scientifically in 1981. By no means is based on the MFI investigation currently a further therapeutic intervention such as the preventive implantation of a defibrillator (ICD ) is indicated. Therefore, the corresponding guidelines do not perform the procedure on as a useful diagnostic measure.

An MFI investigation must currently be classified as an experimental procedure. Research is done so in the following areas:

For persons who

• Have already survived a cardiac arrest due to life threatening cardiac arrhythmia,
• Have a close relative who has suffered a sudden cardiac death,
• Already had a heart attack,

Function of the MFI method

The operating principle of MFIs is very similar to the MEGs. In the investigation record approximately 50 highly sensitive sensors, which are cooled by liquid helium to -269 ° C, the magnetic signals of the heart and thereby identify the electrical activity. Here, the 30 -cm-diameter sensor head is placed over the patient's heart, without touching it. Detected within minutes and analyzed the MFI from the beating heart outgoing magnetic signals and evaluates them then a computer-aided from. The magnetic imaging differs here from the magnetocardiography that a similar recording technique uses, mainly through the full integration of multi-channel sensor into the complex mathematical analysis of the data. Simplified one can be called the MFI clinically useful development magnetocardiography.

For the patient, the MFI recording is very straightforward, fast and risk -free; only need to metallic objects are stored, otherwise it requires no special preparation.