Fetal magnetocardiography: A promising way to diagnose fetal arrhytmia and to study fetal heart rate variability?

Czech version

Authors: M. Hrtánková; K. Biringer; J. Siváková; P. Šumichrastová; P. Lukáč; J. Danko
Authors‘ workplace: Gynekologicko-pôrodnícka klinika JLF UK a UNM, Martin, Slovenská republika, prednosta prof. MUDr. J. Danko, CSc.
Published in: Ceska Gynekol 2015; 80(1): 58-63

Overview

Objective:
An overwiev of the new diagnostic method of fetal wellbeing – fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG).

Design:
A review article.

Setting:
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic.

Methods:
An analysis of the literature using database search engines PubMed, and SCOPE in field of fMCG.

Results:
Fetal magnetocardiography is a non-invasive technique able to monitor the spontaneous electrophy-siological activity of the fetal heart. Compared to cardiotocography and fetal electrocardiography, this is a more effective method with a higher resolution. The signal obtained from the fetal heart is sufficiently precise and the quality allows an assessment of PQRST complex alterations, and to detect fetal arrhythmia. Thanks to early diagnosis of fetal arrhythmia, there is the possibility for appropriate therapeutic intervention and the reduction of unexplained fetal death in late gestation. fMCG with high temporal resolution also increases the level of clinical trials which record fetal heart rate (FHR) variability. According to the latest theories, FHR variability is a possible indicator of fetal status and enables the study of the fetal autonomic nervous system indirectly. fMCG is an experimental method that requires expensive equipment. It is yet to be shown in the future, if this method will get any application in clinical practice..

Keywords:
fetal magnetocardiography, arrhythmia, fetal heart rate variability

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