Magnetocardiography

Magnetocardiography (pronounced: mag-net-o-car-di-og-ra-phy) is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that measures the magnetic fields produced by electrical currents in the heart. This technique is used to detect and diagnose various heart conditions.

Etymology

The term "Magnetocardiography" is derived from three Greek words: "magneto" meaning magnet, "cardia" meaning heart, and "graphy" meaning to write or record.

Procedure

Magnetocardiography is performed using a device called a magnetometer, which measures the small magnetic fields produced by the heart's electrical activity. The patient lies on a bed inside a shielded room to block out external magnetic fields, and the magnetometer is placed over the chest to record the heart's magnetic signals.

Applications

Magnetocardiography is used to detect and diagnose a variety of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and congenital heart defects. It can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatments for these conditions.

Advantages

One of the main advantages of magnetocardiography is that it is non-invasive, meaning it does not require any incisions or injections. It is also painless and does not expose the patient to any radiation. Furthermore, it can provide more detailed information about the heart's electrical activity than other diagnostic techniques, such as electrocardiography.

Limitations

Despite its advantages, magnetocardiography is not widely used due to its high cost and the need for a specially shielded room to block out external magnetic fields. It is also less effective at detecting certain types of heart conditions, such as those that do not produce significant changes in the heart's magnetic field.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Magnetocardiography
Wikipedia's article - Magnetocardiography

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Magnetocardiography