Objective The authors assessed the ability of a Superconduct ng Quantu
m Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer to noninvasively detect mes
enteric ischemia in a rabbit model. Summary Background Data Supercondu
cting Quantum Interference Device magnetometers have been used to dete
ct magnetic fields created by the basic electrical rhythm (BER) and to
detect changes in BER of exteriorized bowel of anesthetized rabbits d
uring mesenteric ischemia. Methods The BER of rabbit ileum was noninva
sively measured transabdominally using a SQUID magnetometer and compar
ed with the electrical activity recorded with surgically implanted ser
osal electrodes before, during, and after snare occlusion of the super
ior mesenteric artery. Results Transabdominal SQUID recording of BER f
requency was highly correlated to the measurements obtained with elect
rodes (R = 0.91). Basic electrical rhythm frequency decreased from 16.
4 +/- 0.8 to 8.3 +/- 0.3 cpm (p < 0.001) after 25 minutes of ischemia.
Reperfusion of ischemic bowel resulted in recovery of BER frequency t
o 14.3 +/- 0.4 cpm 10 minutes after brood flow was restored. Conclusio
ns A SQUID magnetometer is capable of noninvasively detecting mesenter
ic ischemia reliably and at an early stage by detecting a significant
drop in BER frequency. These positive findings have encouraged the aut
hors to continue development of clinically useful, noninvasive, detect
ion of intestinal magnetic fields using SQUID magnetometers.