May 30, 2008
Magnetic field imaging in ischemia diagnostics

Jena, May 30th 2008. About 800.000 intracardiac catheter examinations per year are executed in Germany. The percentage of patients whose examination results in a therapeutical measure is just about 30-40 %. By means of a magnetic field imaging system, a new cardiological diagnostic procedure, an alternative non-invasive possibility for ischemia diagnostics may be found in the future. This issue is currently being followed up in a clinical trial.
The MADISC study (Magnetic Field Imaging for Non-Invasive Detection of stress induced Ischemia) analyses ischemia diagnostics by means of MFI. 1.100 patients suffering from angina pectoris or whose results regarding a cardiac stress test are positive and therefore an angiography of the coronary vessels is indicated, are included in this research. The study is to show that hemodynamically relevant stenosis are detectable via MFI. Two examinations in direct succession are executed: one in resting state and one after administration of adenosine, i. e. under stress. The three-dimensional reconstruction provides a very good basis for the diagnosis whether the myocardal muscle is affected by ischemia.

Physical basis of MFI
Magnetic field imaging is based on two natural scientific cognitions: firstly, cell activities are basically associated with electrical activity and secondly, the electrical activity is always associated with a corresponding magnetic field. Contrary to the electrical signals, which are influenced by the tissue’s differing electrical conductivity, the magnetic fields leave the human body almost undisturbed. Contrary to the electrical leads, the magnetic record is free of reference and thereby especially suitable for the lead of low-frequency and magnetic d. c. fields.
Within ischemia diagnostics, the MFI system can also uncover the electrophysiological effects of microcirculation disturbances in midget vessels.

Apollo CXS with integrated software MIANDA
With Apollo CXS BMDSys company, Jena, has developed an ultra-modern magnetic field imaging system. The diagnosis system does not implicate any side effects for the patients as it is non-invasive, contact-free and free of radiation. Furthermore it does not require any contrast agent. No preparations have to be made for the examination. An especially developed analysis software named MIANDA enables a comfortable and extensive analysis of the data directly after the examination. Depending on the indication, the data can be demonstrated in different ways, e. g. as three-dimensional animations or as specific curves. Thus the attending physician’s diagnosis can be supported in an optimal way.
The examination alone takes about two minutes and the results are available after approximately one minute. Therefore the system is also suitable for emergencies.