title: Fetal magnetocardiography using optically pumped magnetometers: a more adaptable and less expensive alternative?
abstract: Fetal magnetocardiography provides the requisite precision for diagnostic measurement of electrophysiological events in the fetal heart. Despite its significant benefits, this technique with current cryogenic based sensors has been limited to few centers, due to high cost of maintenance. In this study, we show that a less expensive non-cryogenic alternative, optically pumped magnetometers, can provide similar electrophysiological and quantitative characteristics when subjected to direct comparison with the current technology. Further research can potentially increase its clinical use for fetal magnetocardiography. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Hari
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eswaran
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Escalona-Vargas
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Elijah H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Bolin
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Curtis L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lowery
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D053798:Magnetocardiography / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D060306:Magnetometry / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000295:instrumentation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods