BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF MAGNETIC FIELDS ON THE HUMAN HEART A REVIEW OF CURRENT ADVANCES AND PROPOSED MECHANISMS

Abstract

The main purpose of this manuscript is to introduce the reader to the present “state of the art” in experimental Low Level Magnetic Fields nerve stimulation approaches to improve chaotic cardiac arrhythmias and muscle contractions. The area addressed in this paper is the transcutaneous application of Low Level Magnetic Fields to a branch of the vagus nerve. Cardiac Arrhythmias such as Atrial Fibrillation, as well as and muscle contractility were reversed by Low Level Transcutaneous Stimulation (LL-TS) of the Auricular Branch of the Vagus Nerve (ABVN). This treatment has been successfully reported in humans as well as in awaken and anesthetized animals such as rodents and dogs. The functional improvement has been attributed to a reversal of cardiac myocytes remodeling (reversal of fibrosis) resulting from experimentally provoking induced rapid heartbeats. The prolonged duration of a tachycardia state induces intracellular accumulation of glycogen leading into fibrosis, this in turn is hypothesized to impede the intercellular electrical communications of the specialized cardiac cells. It also reduces the functional ability of the main pumping chamber (Left Ventricle).