About this Research Topic
Magnetocardiography (MCG) is a system for measuring the magnetic fields of the human heart. These fields are produced by electrical currents of the cardiac cells. Hence, the dynamic magnetic field of the heart corresponds exactly to its electrophysiological excitation. Further, a multichannel device can acquire a complete magnetic field map over the patient's chest. MCG is a non-contact and non-invasive functional imaging technique, whereby patients are not exposed to any energy or radiation during the measurement. However, it provides high-resolution data sets that can almost completely decode the physiology of the heart.
In contrast to electrical signals (measured by an ECG), MCG signals are marginally affected by body tissue. Thus, it is possible to derive very accurate analyses (in sensitivity or specificity) about the electrophysiological function of the myocardium compared to ECG or other functional imaging systems. For example, magnetic field imaging allows imaging of vortex currents within the myocardium that cannot be recorded with a surface ECG. This Research Topic will provide an overview of the various MCG research areas. It is intended to illustrate the challenges and potential advantages that MCG provides as a diagnostic method. In particular, the Topic Editors welcome manuscripts which demonstrate that MCG differs from the usual functional imaging methods and thus establishes its own field for medical diagnostics.
Led by an international team of subject experts, the topic editors encourage submission of all manuscript types. Sub-themes for this Research Topic include but are not limited to:
-Magnetoionography
- Sensor Types
- Shielding; Software (Acquisition, Analysis or Signal Processing)
- Diagnostic Algorithms
- Drug Testing with Magnetoionographic Arrhythmia Risk Evaluation (MIARE)
- Atrial Fibrillation
In contrast to electrical signals (measured by an ECG), MCG signals are marginally affected by body tissue. Thus, it is possible to derive very accurate analyses (in sensitivity or specificity) about the electrophysiological function of the myocardium compared to ECG or other functional imaging systems. For example, magnetic field imaging allows imaging of vortex currents within the myocardium that cannot be recorded with a surface ECG. This Research Topic will provide an overview of the various MCG research areas. It is intended to illustrate the challenges and potential advantages that MCG provides as a diagnostic method. In particular, the Topic Editors welcome manuscripts which demonstrate that MCG differs from the usual functional imaging methods and thus establishes its own field for medical diagnostics.
Led by an international team of subject experts, the topic editors encourage submission of all manuscript types. Sub-themes for this Research Topic include but are not limited to:
-Magnetoionography
- Sensor Types
- Shielding; Software (Acquisition, Analysis or Signal Processing)
- Diagnostic Algorithms
- Drug Testing with Magnetoionographic Arrhythmia Risk Evaluation (MIARE)
- Atrial Fibrillation
Keywords: Magnetocardiology, Magnetic Field Imaging, Cardiology, Cardiac Inflammation, Coronary Heart Disease, Cardiomyopathy, Myocarditis, Magnetocardiography
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
