Abstract
The purpose of our study was to search for a specific parameter for diagnosis of acute ischemia and infarction. Magnetocardiograms (MCG) and electrocardiograms (ECG) of five rats with coronary artery occlusion were measured using a high resolution dc-SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) gradiometer in a magnetically shielded room. In our system, the spatial resolution of the detecting magnetic field is higher than that of the typical system. The current distribution vectors were estimated from MCGs, while the heart vectors were estimated from ECGs. The amplitudes and angles of the current distribution vectors and the vector cardiograms were analyzed to determine the effect of coronary artery occlusion. Results show that the amplitudes of the current distribution vectors and the vector cardiograms at the ST segment and at the T wave were significantly increased by occlusion. The angle of only current distribution vectors at the T wave was significantly changed by occlusion. The angle of the current distribution vectors was a useful parameter for diagnosing of acute ischemia and infarction. Our system is a useful tool for basic studies of heart disease using small animals such as rats.
