Magnetic Stimulation of the Heart and Safety Issues in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Our group at Purdue University has been studying the physiological effects of pulsed magnetic fields for several years. The initial work was directed toward cardiac pacing with a pulsed magnetic field. Our motivation was the development of a non-invasive and relatively pain-free method for cardiac stimulation. We were the first to induce cardiac ectopic beats with pulsed magnetic fields in the closed-chest dog [1,2]. Unfortunately, the large energies required to stimulate the heart preclude the development of a portable magnetic cardiac pacemaker.