Reproducibility of Magnetocardiography Measurements Using the Cardiomag Magnetocardiograph System Model 2409 and Its Software for Data Acquisition and Analysis

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Detailed Description

The studies involving magnetocardiography have almost exclusively focused on evaluating possible clinical applications of the device. Leder et al saw the need for investigating the reproducibility of High Temperature Superconducting (HTS-)MCG measurements. They tested 18 healthy volunteers, stating that assessment of the reproducibility of HTS-MCGs in the normal heart is a prerequisite condition for the definition of significant levels of changes which, for instance, may be observed in serial measurements of patients suffering from acute coronary syndromes. They also pointed out the potentially strong electromagnetic interference inside a hospital, likely to be very different from the noise found in engineering laboratories where the MCGs are originally calibrated and tested. A respectable reproducibility for the MCG measurements is crucial for clinical applications. Leder et al studied the reproducibility of QRS complexes, ST segments, and T waves. They found that the reproducibility of the measurements in the depolarization phase was high, whereas the reproducibility of their repolarization readings was considerably lower. The results led Leder et al to conclude that further technical development was needed to improve signal-to-noise ratio allowing for clinical application of repolarization abnormalities for recognizing Acute Coronary Syndromes. In this study, we will focus on the repolarization phase by assessing the reproducibility of the T wave only. Comparison of scores and results based on computer analyses will provide the basis for our evaluation. Visual interpretations by the two examiners will also be compared.

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