Magnetocardiogram (MCG)

Teresa L. Frisch, RN, RMT, IARP 2.14.09

Until now, the tool for rapid assessment and analyzation of cardiac electrical activity has been the standard twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG). By placing twelve patches directly on the skin in a standard pattern, an EKG captures the depolarization / repolarization of electrical current as it moves through the cardiac muscle. Originating in the sinus node in the right atrium, we follow the conduction sequence, marked “PQRST” as the electrical current progresses along the conduction pathway and into the purkinje fibers. The result of that spark, that flash of electrical current is “lub-dub.” One firing, one cycle, one cardiac contraction: one heartbeat producing cardiac output, blood flow, into the body.

Our ability to measure cardiac activity may be changing. Advances in technology are providing us with a means to measure the electromagnetic field outside the thorax, bringing us into the field of Magnetocardiography. Utilizing "bio-magnetism", Magnetocardiograms (MCGs) were initially difficult to obtain due to the need for a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) environment (CardioMag Imaging, Inc.). The ability to perform an MCG has moved outside the SQUID environment, making it a real possibility for use as a routine cardiac diagnostic tool. As of January 13, 2008, MCGs had obtained FDA approved (“Regulatory Approvals”) and were in clinical trials. Several cardiac diagnosis have already been studied, data collected, and the findings published in peer-reviewed articles.

In my search for information about biofields, I stumbled on the first link below. I was fortunate enough to find a pdf publication which gives a brilliant overview of the MCG procedure, as well as an excellent image of the anterior thorax and the sixty-three marker placements and process.

I would like to thank the staff of CardioMag for their assistance with my queries regarding biofields, and for providing me with points of contact currently involved in magnetocardiographic clinical trials. The links below will take you to several articles written by Dr. Kirsten Tolstrup, MD, of Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, and Dr. Peter Smars, MD, of the Mayo Clinic. I have a great interest in this evolving specialty and in an effort to stay “current,” I would like to invite anyone finding new publications to send them, including complete sourced information to me through “Contact Us.” I will make every effort to include them in the postings here.

Use of Machine Learning for Classification of Magnetocardiograms
Mark Embrechts, Boleslaw Szymanski Center for Pervasive Computing and Networking Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY
Learn More

Tolstrup, Kirsten MD
Learn More

Smars, Peter, MD
Learn More

Industry Quotes
Read

Revised: tlf 3.29.09