Fetal Magnetocardiography Using Optically Pumped Magnetometers: A Literature Review
Abstract
Fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) provides direct non-invasive assessment of fetal cardiac electrophysiology, enabling detailed evaluation of cardiac rhythm, conduction, and repolarization. However, the clinical adoption of conventional fMCG has been limited by its reliance on superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) systems, which require cryogenic cooling and specialized infrastructure. Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) have emerged as a promising cryogen-free alternative with the potential to broaden access to fetal electrophysiological assessment. This review summarizes the technological evolution and early clinical evaluation of OPM-based fMCG through an analysis of original in vivo human studies published up to June 2026. Twelve eligible studies were identified and synthesized narratively. Advances in sensor design, magnetic shielding, acquisition strategies, and signal-processing algorithms have enabled SQUID-comparable signal quality and cardiac interval measurements while substantially reducing cryogenic and infrastructure requirements. OPM-fMCG has demonstrated the potential to assess fetal cardiac time intervals, heart rate variability, fetal movement, and clinically important arrhythmias, including congenital long QT syndrome, atrioventricular block, and supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. However, the available evidence remains dominated by small, single-centre studies, with relatively few fetuses affected by clinically significant…
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