A Small Scale Optically Pumped Fetal Magnetocardiography System

Fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) is considered the best technique for diagnosis of fetal arrhythmia. It is superior to more widely used methods such as fetal, fetal electrocardiography, and cardiotocography for evaluation of fetal rhythm. The combination of fMCG and fetal echocardiography can provid...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical medicine 2023-05, Vol.12 (10), p.3380
Main Authors: Wurm, David, Ewert, Peter, Fierlinger, Peter, Wakai, Ronald T, Wallner, Verena, Wunderl, Lena, Wacker-Gußmann, Annette
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdomen
Arrhythmia
Cardiac arrhythmia
Cardiography
Clinical medicine
Communication
Diagnosis
Electrocardiography
Fetal diseases
Fetuses
Gestational age
Heart rate
Magnetic fields
Methods
Pregnancy
Prenatal diagnosis
Sensors
Ultrasonic imaging
Vibration
Womens health
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Summary:Fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) is considered the best technique for diagnosis of fetal arrhythmia. It is superior to more widely used methods such as fetal, fetal electrocardiography, and cardiotocography for evaluation of fetal rhythm. The combination of fMCG and fetal echocardiography can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of fetal cardiac rhythm and function than is currently possible. In this study, we demonstrate a practical fMCG system based on optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs). Seven pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies underwent fMCG at 26-36 weeks' gestation. The recordings were made using an OPM-based fMCG system and a person-sized magnetic shield. The shield is much smaller than a shielded room and provides easy access with a large opening that allows the pregnant woman to lie comfortably in a prone position. The data show no significant loss of quality compared to data acquired in a shielded room. Measurements of standard cardiac time intervals yielded the following results: PR = 104 ± 6 ms, QRS = 52.6 ± 1.5 ms, and QTc = 387 ± 19 ms. These results are compatible with those from prior studies performed using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) fMCG systems. To our knowledge, this is the first European fMCG device with OPM technology commissioned for basic research in a pediatric cardiology unit. We demonstrated a patient-friendly, comfortable, and open fMCG system. The data yielded consistent cardiac intervals, measured from time-averaged waveforms, compatible with published SQUID and OPM data. This is an important step toward making the method widely accessible.
ISSN:2077-0383
2077-0383
DOI:10.3390/jcm12103380