Magnetocardiography Advantages and Disadvantages Research Paper
The utilization of biomagnetism to study the heart is a field that has attracted many researchers and engineers within the past decade. Studies have revealed that the heart produces internal electrical impulses, thereby creating magnetic forces. These attributes have led to the emergence of magnetocardiography (MCG). Tavarozzi et al. (2002) indicate that MCG is “a non-invasive and risk-free technique allowing body surface recording of magnetic fields generated by the electrical activity of the heart” (p. 151). This discussion gives a detailed analysis of the major disadvantages and advantages of MCG.Magnetocardiography Advantages and Disadvantages Research Paper.
Advantages
The magnetic permeability of different organs or tissues such as the heart is believed to be that of free space (Sosnytskyy et al., 2013). That being the case, MCG’s sensitivity cannot be distorted by the electric resistivity of the lungs. The technology has been applied successfully to monitor the thorax’s electric activity. Koch (2004) indicates that the application can also be utilized to monitor fetuses during pregnancy. The MCG technique is not affected by the insulation surrounding the fetus.
ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER NOW
The use of MCG presents technical aspects that are advantageous to different physicians. For instance, the magnetic detector functions efficiently without being in contact with the individual or subject. This aspect explains why the technology can be effective for patients with injuries or burns. The use of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer makes it easier for physicians to measure and monitor direct current (DC) signals in the heart (Sosnytskyy et al., 2013).Magnetocardiography Advantages and Disadvantages Research Paper. Magnetic fields are usually capable of passing through the human skin. This ability makes it possible for medical experts to examine the heart and its movements.
Disadvantages
Experts acknowledge that the application of MCG has specific challenges that make it inapplicable in a wide range of settings. The method is extremely complex especially when a physician is focusing on the heartbeat rate. According to Koch (2004), the measurements associated with MCG are usually complicated because of the technological aspects involved. It is notable that the process should be done using expensive and multifarious equipment. For example, physicians must use a SQUID magnetometer. Liquid helium must also be utilized throughout the process.
According to experts, this technology can only be applied successfully in environments characterized by low or no noise (Tavarozzi et al., 2002). Most of the sensors for low magnetic fields can be extremely hard to implement. This means that they should be used in shielded rooms. This issue explains why the use of MCG is yet to be adopted in many healthcare institutions. Medical practitioners who understand this technology acknowledge that it attracts high costs for both the targeted patients and institutions. Hospitals must have adequate financial resources in an attempt to implement this technology successfully. These disadvantages explain why MCG is yet to be improved. Magnetocardiography Advantages and Disadvantages Research Paper.
Conclusion
This discussion indicates that the advances in biomagnetism will continue to present powerful technologies that can monitor different internal tissues and organs. MCG is a revolutionary technology that can empower more researchers to pursue their aims in the field of cardiology. The continued application of the technology will ensure a wide range of diseases and conditions affecting mankind are identified and treated successfully. The unique challenges associated with MCG can be addressed using improved technologies for visualization and signal analysis (Sosnytskyy et al., 2013). Consequently, these developments will ensure MCG is applied in different settings to support the health needs of more patients. Magnetocardiography Advantages and Disadvantages Research Paper.
References
Koch, H. (2004). Recent advances in magentocardiography. Journal of Electrocardiology, 37, 117-122. Web.
Sosnytskyy, V., Chaikovsky, I., Stadnyuk, L., Miasnykov, G., Kazmirchyk, A., Sosnytska, T., & Gurjeva, O. (2013). Magnetocardiography capabilities in myocardium injuries diagnosis.World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 3, 380-388. Web.
Tavarozzi, I., Comani, S., De Gratta, C, Di Luzio, S., Romani, G. L., Gallina, S., … De Caterina, R. (2002). Magnetocardiography: current status and perspectives. Part II: Clinical applications. Italian Heart Journal: Official Journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology, 3,151-165. Web.
Multi-channel magnetocardiography (MCG) is potentially useful for noninvasively evaluating cardiac activation with high spatio-temporal resolution. Since 2007, MCG has been introduced into Laboratory of Clinical Physiology in our hospital as an advanced diagnostic modality for heart diseases.Magnetocardiography Advantages and Disadvantages Research Paper. However, advantages specific for MCG use remains to be poorly defined. MCG is not yet accepted as a routine diagnostic tool. Our research for a few years has disclosed that MCG enables us to sensitively detect and evaluate cardiac electrophysiologic abnormalities, which is undetectable with use of conventional ECG.
(1) Non-invasive visualization of electrical propagations in left ventricle
We, for the first time, noninvasively visualized two separate electrical propagations in the left ventricle (LV) arising from left anterior and posterior fascicles with MCG sensors placed close to anterior, posterior, and left lateral chest wall. Moreover, we occasionally recognized apparently abnormal conduction and conduction delay by MCG in heart failure patients with severe LV dysfunction but with normal QRS duration on ECG. These findings suggest that MCG can be a powerful tool for assessing intraventricular electrical dyssynchrony and evaluating conduction abnormalities responsible for the genesis of malignant ventricular arrhythmia in patients with heart failure.
References:
- Kawakami S, Takaki H, Oishi S, Sato H, Shimizu W, Kamakura S, Sugimachi M. A novel magnetocardiographic approach for estimating the whole ventricular activation with use of 3-directional measurements. Eur Heart J. 2010;31,265 (ESC2010, Abstract) Magnetocardiography Advantages and Disadvantages Research Paper.
- Kawakami S, Takaki H, Sato H, Shimizu W, Kamakura S, Sugimachi M. A novel magnetocardiographic approach for estimating the whole ventricular activation with use of 3-directional recordings Circulation. 2010;122:A13636 (AHA2010, Abstract)
(2) Detection of”peripheral” intraventricular conduction disturbance in patients with heart failure and with CLBBB on ECG
We can hardly infer how the LV activation proceeds from an ECG showing complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB). Indeed, a substantial number of patients with heart failure exhibit CLBBB, while subjects with normal LV function not uncommonly exhibit CLBBB solely due to the disorder of the conduction system (isolated CLBBB). MCG with high spatio-temporal resolution has enabled us to noninvasively detect abnormal”peripheral” intraventricular conduction accompanied by myocardial damage in patients with LV dysfunction and heart failure, which is not observed in subject with isolated CLBBB and normal LV function. Magnetocardiography Advantages and Disadvantages Research Paper.
ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER NOW
References:
- Oishi S, Takaki H, Hashimoto S, Shimizu W, Sugimachi M, Kamakura S. Magnetocardiography can identify ‘Local” ventricular conduction delay in patients with LV dysfunction and CLBBB/IVCD on ECG: Comparison with ‘Isolated’ CLBBB. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010;55;A13.E122 (ACC2010, Abstract)
(3) Evaluation of electrical dyssynchrony and prediction of clinical response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
Although intraventricular electrical dyssynchrony worsens hemodynamics in heart failure patients, no noninvasive method for its accurate estimation has been established. Furthermore, it is difficult to predict the”responder” to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) that ameliorates the electrical dyssynchrony. Based on MCG findings before CRT implantation, patients with severe heart failure were classified into 2 groups (Group-A: Uni-directional current pattern, Group-B: Multi-directional current pattern). We found 6 responders among 7 Group-A patients and 6 non-responders among 7 Group-B patients, suggesting that the MCG classification is particularly useful for the prediction of clinical response to CRT. Magnetocardiography Advantages and Disadvantages Research Paper.
References:
- Oishi S, Takaki H, Yamashita E, Hashimoto S, Nakajima I, Tanaka T, Shimizu W, Sugimachi M, Kamakura S. Magnetocardiography (MCG) can predict clinical response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Circulation. 2009;120:S647 (AHA2009, Abstract)
(4) Detection and localization of abnormal conduction delay as a cause of lethal ventricular arrhythmias
Arrhymogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a heart muscle disease, characterized by fibro-fatty replacement of the right ventricular myocardium that underlies lethal ventricular arrhythmias. Abnormal local conduction delay within the right ventricle producing ventricular arrhythmias can be expressed as a small notch (ε- wave) on ECG, however, its appearance is often too small to be recognized visually. On the other hand, MCG analysis could clearly reveal such conduction abnormalities with its characteristic QRS multiple-spine (fragmentation) morphology. The ability of MCG to localize abnormal sites using 2-dimensional mapping offers an advantage over conventional ECG modalities such as signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG). Magnetocardiography Advantages and Disadvantages Research Paper.