Magnetic measurements of cardiac mechanical activity

The origin of the magnetic susceptibility signal caused by mechanical activity of the heart is studied. Magnetic signals were measured with a second order SQUID (superconductor quantum interface device) gradiometer by applying a homogeneous external magnetic field with magnitude up to 260 A/m. Three experimental methods were used to separate the different components in the magnetic susceptibility signal. First, the thorax of the subject was surrounded by water solution of MnCl ₂ with various magnetic susceptibilities, then a plastic bag containing a similar solution was placed on the chest of the subject, and finally the chest wall of the subject was immobilized during the measurements by using a special vacuum casting. The results suggest that usually about 65-80% of the signal measured near the heart originates directly from cardiac volume changes. This cardiac plethysmogram can be separated easily by immobilizing the subject´s chest or by surrounding the chest with the liquid, whose magnetic susceptibility is about -5*10 ^-6.