2D and 3D Analysis of Magnetocardiographic Data in the Evaluation of the Ventricular Repolarization Changes under Exercise Stress Test in Patients with CAD

Abstract

Objective: Non-invasive methods of evaluation of electrical activity of the heart are still the most important functional diagnostics methods in coronary artery disease (CAD) detection. It has been shown that magnetocardiography (MCG) appears to be rather sensitive in diagnostics of chronic CAD even in the patients at rest with unchanged ECG. The objective of present paper is to investigate the influence of non-invasive tests with a physical exerciseon MCG parameters in the patients with chronic CAD. Materials and Methods: In total, 10 patients were examined (mean age 41 ± 5 years) suffering from chronic stable angina (CAD). CAD was diagnosed by clinical evidences, bicycle ergometria positive data and coronary angiography (stenosis > 70% in at least onr main coronary angiography). The control group consisted of 14 healthy volunteers. MCG mapping was performed by means of a 7-channel SQUID-magnetometer installed in an unshielded room. The MCG examination was conducted twice, whilst patients were at rest and after exercise on the bicycle (in healthy persons it was conducted immediately after exercise and in the patients, after the ST depression and/or chest pain had disappeared). The homogeneity and electric motive force (EMF) direction disturbances on magnetic field distribution maps on an extent of ST-T interval have been evaluated. Results: Statistically significant differences between groups examined based I. Chaikovsky et al. 400both on 2D and 3D quantitative criteria were demonstrated. Conclusion: The application of a set of MCG criteria based on the analysis both of ventricular depolarization and repolarization will enable a greater degree of accuracy for the results of the exercise stress test, especially in doubtful cases.