Change in human cardiac rhythm induced by a 2-T static magnetic field.

The influence of a 2-T static magnetic field on the cardiac rhythm was studied with 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring in 12 healthy volunteers for 1 hour before exposure, 1 hour during exposure, and 22 hours after exposure. Four other subjects were exposed to 1 T, and nine control subjects were exposed to 0 T. In the 2-T group, the mean cardiac cycle length (CCL) was 912 msec +/- 83 before exposure. A significant 17% increase in CCL was observed after 10 minutes of exposure. No further significant variation was observed during exposure, and the CCL was back to preexposure values 10 minutes after exposure. No other arrhythmogenic effect was noted during the 24-hour monitoring. No statistically significant change was observed at either 0 or 1 T. The magnetically induced blood-flow potentials superimposed on the T wave were observed. The CCL increase during exposure could reflect a direct or indirect effect of magnetic fields on the sinus node, which is probably harmless in healthy subjects. However, its safety in dysrhythmic patients remains to be determined.