Comparison of Resting Magnetocardiography With Stress Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Patients With Stable and Unstable Angina

Background: Early diagnosis of ischemia is complicated by the poor sensitivity of standard tests (ECG and troponin) and contraindication for stress testing in unstable angina patients. Magnetocardiographic (MCG) imaging is a new technology developed for the rapid, non-invasive, non-stress detection of ventricular repolarization abnormalities at rest. Methods: 51 acute coronary syndrome patients from the telemetry unit and 33 normal controls were studied utilizing a 9-channel CMI Magnetocardiograph in unshielded location in the cardiac noninvasive laboratory. Scan time was 6 minutes and results were available immediately. The MCG data were processed and interpreted utilizing an automated MCG analysis program. All patients were chest pain free at the time of scanning. Results: The mean age was 60.2 \ub1 14.4 years (range 32 \u2013 86) and 68.6% were men. Most had normal ECG (74.5%) and normal troponin I (83.3%). Ischemia determined by positive troponin I, positive imaging stress testing, and/or positive coronary angiogram (70% occlusion) were demonstrated in 54.9%. The MCG detected ischemia with high accuracy (p